3 an& tbe 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



Chap. Copyright No. 

Shelf„i_x 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



praters 



for 



flbrtestano people 



tbe 



Iparisb ant> tbe Ibome 



A Book of Services and Devotions 
for Clerical and Lay Workers 



EDITED BY 

REV. JOHN WRIGHT, D. D. 

Author of "Early Bibles of America" and ''Early 
Prayer Books of America " 




St. Paul. Minn. 

The Wright Publishing Company 
1898 






2832 



Copyright, 1898, 
By John Wright. 



The Library 
of Congress 



WASHINGTON 



PRESS OF EVANS & COMPANY, 
ST. PAUL, MINN. 



PREFACE. 



The material of this book has been accumulating 
for several years, chiefly through the contributions 
of representative Church clergymen. Widely known 
men, who have given their best energies to special 
lines of thought and work, were invited to formulate 
certain prayers. A response in nearly every case 
was promptly given. One, who has long been in- 
terested in explorations in Egypt, contributed the 
"Prayers for the Harmony of Revelation and 
Science." Another, who has frequently written and 
spoken on the subject of Christian Socialism, penned 
the "Prayers for the Employer and the Employed." 
A third, associated with work among youth, wrote 
several prayers for Sunday Schools, and a fourth, 
through long years a worker among young men, is 
responsible for several of the devotions that relate to 
this class. Under the headings, "Prayers for a 
Vestry Meeting," "Prayers for Graces and Virtues," 
' ' Family Prayers, " and in various other places in the 
book, may be found forms of devotion that appear 
for the first time. The new prayers are over one 
hundred in number. The writers, with a few ex- 
ceptions, made it a condition that their names should 
not be mentioned, and this condition will be sacredly 
observed. 

Bishops Huntington, Gillespie and Quintard, and 
the late Bishops Brown, Paddock and Coxe, per- 
mitted the introduction of prayers they had prepared 
for use in their own dioceses. Bishop Coxe es- 
pecially desired a place in the book for the hymn 
entitled, " Gloria Christi." This has been published 
before, but the Bishop enlarged and revised it as it 
iii 



IV PREFACE. 

now appears. In his last letter concerning it he 
wrote, ' ' Every line of it is a blow aimed at Socinian- . 
ism." The hymn has been placed among the offices 
for the sick, for the reason that "Gloria Christi," 
with its many titles of our Lord, should be especially 
comforting to the sick and the afflicted. 

An effort has been made to accentuate the teach- 
ings of the Christian year, by printing under the 
collect for each Sunday other prayers, selected, 
adapted or contributed. 

In making selections of prayers, the Latin, Greek, 
German and other rituals, both ancient and modern, 
have been consulted. A generous use has been 
made of the Mozarabic rite, from recent translations. 

The book, while constructed upon Catholic lines, 
has not been prepared for any one school of thought 
in the Church, but is intended to represent a breadth 
of views. To this end, under each heading may be 
found a variety of prayers, so that a selection can be 
made according to the preference of the person using 
the manual. 

Aside from the offices for the clergy, are many 
forms and devotions that should render the book 
useful to the laity. Subjects that pertain to the 
religion of every-day life have been expressly 
amplified. 



J. W. 



■5V. Paul, Minn., Epiphany, i8g8. 



CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

The Rites of the Church i 

Occasional Offices 94 

Missionary Prayers 104 

Prayers for the Church and the Clergy. ... 113 
Prayers for the Parish and Parish Organi- 
zations 118 

Prayers for the Home 135 

Prayers for the State and Nation 153 

Prayers for Colleges, Schools and Chari- 
table Institutions 156 

Prayers Relating to Social Subjects 160 

Prayers for the Harmony of Revelation and 

Science 161 

Prayers for Graces and Virtues 162 

Special Thanksgivings 165 

Prayers for the Beginning and the Ending 

of the Year 168 

Collects of the Christian Year 170 

Other Collects from the Book of Common 

Prayer 206 

Lenten Prayers 208 

Various Prayers , 210 



Cbe apostles' Creek 

T BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker 
-«- of heaven and earth : 

And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord : 
Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of 
the Virgin Mary : Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was 
crucified, dead, and buried : He descended into hell ; 
The third day he rose again from the dead : He 
ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand 
of God the Father Almighty : From thence he shall 
come to judge the quick and the dead. 

I believe in the Holy Ghost : The holy Catholic 
Church ; The Communion of Saints : The Forgive- 
ness of sins : The Resurrection of the body : And 
the Life everlasting. Amen. 



Cbe IRicene Creek 

I BELIEVE in one God the Father Almighty, 
Maker of heaven and earth, And of all things 
visible and invisible : 

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten 
Son of God ; Begotten of his Father before all 
worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of 
very God; Begotten, not made; Being of one sub- 
stance with the Father ; By whom all things were 
made : Who for us men and for our salvation came 
down from heaven, And was incarnate by the Holy 
Ghost of the Virgin Mary, And was made man : And 
was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate ; He 
suffered and was buried : And the third day he rose 
again according to the Scriptures : And ascended 
into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of the 
Father: And he shall come again, with glory, to 
judge both the quick and the dead ; Whose kingdom 
shall have no end. 

And I believe in the Holy Ghost, The Lord and 
Giver of Life, Who proceedeth from the Father and 
the Son ; Who with the Father and the Son together 
is worshipped and glorified ; Who spake by the 
Prophets : And I believe one Catholic and Apostolic 
Church : I acknowledge one Baptism for the re- 
mission of sins : And I look for the Resurrection 
of the dead : And the Life of the world to come. 
Amen. 



Cbe Rites of tbe €burcb. 

The Ministration of Public Baptism of 

Infants, to be Used in the 

Church. 

■[ 1'he People are to be admonished, that it is most con- 
venient that Baptism should not be administered but 
upon Sundays and other Holy-days, or Prayer-days. 
Nevertheless \ (if necessity so require,) Baptism may 
be administered upon any other day. 

•j Inhere shall be for every Male-child to be baptized, 
when they can be had, two Godfathers and one God- 
mother; and for every Female, one Godfather and two 
Godmothers; and Parents shall be admitted as Spon- 
sors, if it be desired. 

*[ When there are children to be baptized, the Parents or 
Sponsors shall give knowledge thereof, before the begin- 
ning of Morning Prayer, to the Minister. And then 
the Godfathers and Godmothers, and the People with 
the Children, must be ready at the Font, either im me- 
diately after the last Lesson at Morning Prayer, or else 
immediately after the last Lesson at Evening Prayer, 
as the Minister by his discretion shall appoint. And 
the Minister coming to the Pont, (which is then to be 
filled with pure Water,) and standing there, shall say, 

Hath this Child already been baptized, 

or no ? 

^[ If they answer, No : then shall the Minister proceed 
as followeth, the people all standing until the Lords 
Prayer. 

Dearly beloved, forasmuch as all men 
are conceived and born in sin ; and our 
Saviour Christ saith, None can enter into 
the kingdom of God, except he be regen- 
erate and born anew of Water and of the 
Holy Ghost; I beseech you to call upon 
God the Father, through our Lord Jesus 
Christ, that of his bounteous mercy he will 
grant to this Cliild that which by nature he 
cannot have ; that Itc may be baptized with 
Water and the Holy Ghost, and received 
into Christ's holy Church, and be made a 
living member of the same. 



2 THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 

^f Then shall the Minister say, 

Let us pray. 

Almighty and everlasting God, who of 
thy great mercy didst save Noah and his 
family in the ark from perishing by water ; 
and also didst safely lead the children of 
Israel thy people through the Red Sea, 
figuring thereby thy holy Baptism ; and by 
the baptism of thy well-beloved Son Jesus 
Christ in the river Jordan, didst sanctify 
Water to the mystical washing away of 
sin; We beseech thee, for thine infinite 
mercies, that thou wilt mercifully look 
upon this Child ; wash him and sanctify 
him with the Holy Ghost; that he, being 
delivered from thy wrath, may be received 
into the ark of Christ's Church ; and being 
stedfast in faith, joyful through hope, and 
rooted in charity, may so pass the waves 
of this troublesome world, that finally he 
may come to the land of everlasting life, 
there to reign with thee, world without 
end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

•ft Or this. 

Almighty and immortal God, the aid of 
all who need, the helper of all who flee to 
thee for succour, the life of those who be- 
lieve, and the resurrection of the dead ; We 
call upon thee for this Infant, that he, com- 
ing to thy holy Baptism, may receive 
remission of sin, by spiritual regeneration. 
Receive him, O Lord, as thou hast pro- 
mised by thy well-beloved Son, saying, 
Ask, and ye shall have; seek, and ye shall 
find; knock, and it shall be opened unto 
you. So give now unto us who ask; let 
us who seek, find ; open the gate unto us 
who knock; that this Infant may enjoy the 
everlasting benediction of thy heavenly 
washing, and may come to the eternal 
kingdom which thou hast promised by 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

T[ Then the Minister shall say as followeth : or else shall 
pass immediately to the Questions addressed to the 



THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 6 

Sponsors. But Note, Tliat in every church the inter- 
mediate parts of the Service shall be used, once at 
least in every month, (if there be a baptism J for the 
better instructing of the People in the grounds of 
Infant Baptism. 

Hear the words of the Gospel, written by 
St. Mark, in the tenth Chapter, at the 
thirteenth Verse. 

They brought young children to Christ, 
that he should touch them : and his dis- 
ciples rebuked those that brought them. 
But when Jesus saw it, he was much dis- 
pleased, and said unto them, Suffer the 
little children to come unto me, and forbid 
them not : for of such is the kingdom of 
God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever 
shall not receive the kingdom of God as a 
little child, he shall not enter therein. 
And he took them up in his arms, put his 
hands upon them, and blessed them. 

■[ After the Gospel is read, the Minister shall make 
this brief Exhortation upon the words of the 
Gospel. 

Beloved, ye hear in this Gospel the 
words of our Saviour Christ, that he com- 
manded the children to be brought unto 
him ; how he blamed those who would 
have kept them from him ; how he ex- 
horteth all men to follow their innocency. 
Ye perceive how, by his outward gesture 
and deed, he declared his good will to- 
ward them ; for he embraced them in his 
arms, he laid his hands upon them, and 
blessed them. Doubt ye not, therefore, 
but earnestly believe, that he will likewise 
favourably receive this present Infant; that 
he will embrace him with the arms of his 
mercy; that he. will give unto him the 
blessing of eternal life, and make him par- 
taker of his everlasting kingdom. 

Wherefore, we being thus persuaded of 
the good will of our heavenly Father to- 
wards this Infant, declared by his Son 
Jesus Christ; and nothing doubting but 
that he favourably alloweth this charitable 
work of ours in bringing this Infant to his 



4- THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 

holy Baptism ; let us faithfully and de- 
voutly give thanks unto him, and say, 

Almighty and everlasting God, heavenly 
Father, We give thee humble thanks, That 
thou hast vouchsafed to call us to the 
knowledge of thy grace, and faith in thee: 
Increase this knowledge, And confirm this 
faith in us evermore. Give thy Holy 
Spirit to this Infant, That he may be born 
again, And be made an heir of everlasting 
salvation; Through our Lord Jesus Christ, 
Who liveth and reigneth with thee and 
the Holy Spirit, Now and forever. Amen. 

f[ Then shall the Minister speak unto the Godfathers 
and Godmothers on this wise. 

Dearly beloved, ye have brought this 
Child here to be baptized ; ye have prayed 
that our Lord Jesus Christ would vouch- 
safe to receive him, to release him from 
sin, to sanctify him with the Holy Ghost, 
to give him the kingdom of heaven, and 
everlasting life. Ye have heard also that 
our Lord Jesus Christ hath promised in 
his Gospel to grant all these things that 
ye have prayed for: which promise he, 
for his part, will most surely keep and 
perform. 

Wherefore, after this promise made by 
Christ, this Infant must also faithfully, for 
his part, promise by you that are his sure- 
ties, (until he come of age to take it upon 
himself,} that he will renounce the devil 
and all his works, and constantly believe 
God's holy Word, and obediently keep 
his commandments. 

^1" The Minister shall then demand of the Sponsors as 
followeth : the Questions being considered as addressed 
to them severally, and the Anszuers to be made accord- 
ingly . 

I demand therefore, 

Dost thou, in the name of this Child, 
renounce the devil and all his works, the 
vain pomp and glory of the world, with all 
covetous desires of the same, and the sin- 



THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 5 

ful desires of the flesh, so that thou wilt 
not follow, nor be led by them ? 

Answer. I renounce them all; and, by 
God's help, will endeavour not to follow, 
nor be led by them. 

Minister. Dost thou believe all the 
Articles of the Christian Faith, as con- 
tained in the Apostles' Creed ? 

Answer. I do. 

Minister. Wilt thou be baptized in 
this Faith ? 

Answer. That is my desire. 

Minister. Wilt thou then obediently 
keep God's holy will and commandments, 
and walk in the same all the days of thy 
life ? 

Answer. I will, by God's help. 

*[ Then shall the Minister say, 

O merciful God, grant that the old 
Adam in this Child may be so buried, 
that the new man may be raised up in 
him. Amen. 

Grant that all sinful affections may die 
in liim, and that all things belonging to the 
Spirit may live and grow in him. Amen. 

Grant that he may have power and 
strength to have victory, and to triumph, 
against the devil, the world, and the flesh. 
Amen. 

Grant that whosoever is here dedicated 
to thee by our office and ministry, ma}' also 
be endued with heavenly virtues, and ever- 
lastingly rewarded, through thy mercy, O 
blessed Lord God, who dost live, and 
govern all things, world without end. 
Amen. 

Almighty, everliving God, whose most 
dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ, for the 
forgiveness of our sins, did shed out of 
his most precious side both water and 
blood ; and gave- commandment to his 
disciples, that they should go teach all 
nations, and baptize them In the Name of 
the Father, and of the Son, and of the 



6 THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 

Holy Ghost; Regard, we beseech thee, 
the supplications of thy congregation ; 
sanctify this Water to the mystical wash- 
ing away of sin ; and grant that this Child, 
now to be baptized therein, may receive 
the fulness of thy grace, and ever remain 
in the number of thy faithful children ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

^[ Then the Minister shall take the Child into his hands, 
and shall say to the Godfathers and Godmothers, 

Name this Child. 

^[ And then, naming it after them, he shall dip it in 
the Water discreetly, or shall pour Water upon it, 
saying, 

N . I baptize thee In the Name of the 
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy 
Ghost. Amen. 

f[ Then the Minister shall say, 

We receive this Child into the congre- 
gation of Christ's flock, and 
do *sign him with the sign * Here the Min- 
of the Cross, in token that iste I shal [ ma % 

' a Cross upon the 

hereafter he shall not be Child's forehead. 
ashamed to confess the faith 
of Christ crucified, and manfully to fight 
under his banner, against sin, the world, 
and the devil; and to continue Christ's 
faithful soldier and servant unto his life's 
end. Amen. 

^[ If those who present the Infant shall desire the sign 
of the Cross to be omitted, although the Church know- 
eth no worthy cause of scruple concerning the same, 
yet in that case, the Minister may omit that part of 
the above which followeth the Immersion, or the pour- 
ing of Water on the Infant. 

^[ Then shall the Minister say, 

Seeing now, dearly beloved brethren, 
that this Child is regenerate, and grafted 
into the body of Christ's Church, let us 
give thanks unto Almighty God for these 
benefits ; and with one. accord make our 
prayers unto him, that this Child may 
lead the rest of his life according to this 
beginning. 



THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. t 

T| Then shall be said, all kneeling, 

Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed 
be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy 
will be done on earth, As it is in heaven. 
Give us this day our daily, bread. And 
forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive 
those who trespass against us. And lead 
us not into temptation ; But deliver us 
from evil. Amen. 

^T Then shall the Minister say, 

We yield thee hearty thanks, most mer- 
ciful Father, that it hath pleased thee to 
regenerate this Infant with thy Holy 
Spirit, to receive him for thine own Child 
by adoption, and to incorporate him into 
thy holy Church. And humbly we be- 
seech thee to grant, that he, being dead 
unto sin, and living unto righteousness, 
and being buried with Christ in his death, 
may crucify the old man, and utterly abol- 
ish the whole body of sin; and that, as he 
is made partaker of the death of thy Son, 
he may also be partaker of his resurrec- 
tion ; so that finally, with the residue of 
thy holy Church, he may be an inheritor 
of thine everlasting kingdom ; through 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

*[ Then, all standing up, the Minister shall say to the 
Godfathers and Godmothers this Exhortation fol- 
lowing. 

Forasmuch as this Child hath promised 
by you his sureties to renounce the devil 
and all his works, to believe in God, and 
to serve him; ye must remember, that it 
is your parts and duties to see that this 
Infant be taught, so soon as he shall be 
able to learn, what a solemn vow, promise, 
and profession, he hath here made by you., 
And that he may know these things the 
better, ye shall call upon him to hear Ser- 
mons ; and chiefly ye shall provide, that 
lie may learn the Creed, the Lord's Prayer, 
and the Ten Commandments, and all other 
things which a Christian ought to know 



« THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 

and believe to his soul's health; and that 
this Child may be virtuously brought up 
lead a godly and a Christian life ; remem- 
bering always, that Baptism doth represent 
unto us our profession; which is, to follow 
the example of our Saviour Christ, and to 
be made like unto him; that, as he died, 
and rose again for us, so should we, who 
are baptized, die from sin, and rise again 
unto righteousness ; continually mortifying 
all our evil and corrupt affections, and 
daily proceeding in all virtue and godli- 
ness of living. 

^1" Then shall he add, and say, 

Ye are to take care that this Child be 
brought to the Bishop to be confirmed by 
him, so soon as he can say the Creed, the 
Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Command- 
ments, and is sufficiently instructed in the 
other parts of the Church-Catechism set 
forth for that purpose. 



The Ministration of Private Baptism 
of Children in Houses. 



^[ The Minister of every Parish shall often admonish 
the People, that they defer not the Baptism of their 
Children longer than the first or second Sunday after 
their birth, or other Holy-day falling betzveen, unless 
upon a great and reasonable cause. 

^[ And also lie shall warn them, that without like great 
cause and necessity , they procure not their Children 
to be baptized at home in their houses. But when 
need shall compel them so to do, then Baptism shall 
be administered as followeth. 

^[ First, let the Minister of the Parish (or in his 
absence, any other lawful Minister that can be pro- 
cured) with those who are present, call upon God, 
and say the Lord's Prayer, and so many of the 
Collects appointed to be said before in the Form of 
Public Baptism, as the time and present exigence 
will suffer. And then, the Child being named by 
some one who is present, the Minister shall pour 
Water upon it, saying these words : 



THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 9 

N. I baptize thee In the Name of the 
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy 
Ghost. Amen. 

^[ Then the Minister shall give thanks unto God, 
and say, 

We yield thee heart}' thanks, most 
merciful Father, that it hath pleased thee 
to regenerate this Infant with thy Holy 
Spirit, to receive him for thine own CJiild 
by adoption, and to incorporate him into 
thy holy Church. And humbly we be- 
seech thee to grant, that he, being dead 
unto sin, and living unto righteousness, 
and being buried with Christ in his 
death, may crucify the old man, and 
utterly abolish the whole body of sin ; 
and that, as he is made partaker of the 
death of thy Son, he may also be partaker 
of his resurrection; so that finally, with 
the residue of thy holy Church, he- may 
be an inheritor of thine everlasting king- 
dom ; through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

*| And let them not doubt, but that the Child so baptized 
is lawfully and sufficiently baptized, and ought not to 
be baptized again. Yet nevertheless, if the Child, 
-which is after this sort baptized, do afterward live, 
it is expedient that it be brought into the Church, 
to the intent that if the Minister of the same Parish 
did himself baptize that Child, the Congregation 
may be certified of the true Form of Baptism, by 
him privately before used: In which case, all 
standing, he shall say thus : 

I certify you, that according to the due 
and prescribed Order of the Church at 
such a time, and at sucJi a place, be- 
fore divers witnesses, I baptized this 
Child; who is now by Baptism incor- 
porated into the Christian Church : for 
our Lord Jesus Christ doth not deny his 
grace and mercy unto such Infants, but 
most lovingly doth call them unto him, 
as the holy Gospel doth witness to our 
comfort. 

*[ But if the Child were baptized by any other lawful 
Minister, then the Minister of the Parish where the 
Child was born or christened, shall examine whether 
the same hath been lawfully done. And if the 



10 THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 

Minister shall find, by the anszvers of such as bring 
the Child, that all things were done as they ought 
to be ; then shall he not christen the Child again, 
but shall receive him as one of the flock of true 
Christian People, saying thus : 

I certify you, that in this case all is 
well done, and according unto due order, 
concerning the baptizing of this Child ; 
who is now by. Baptism incorporated into 
the Christian Church : for our Lord Jesus 
Christ doth not deny his grace and mercy 
unto such Infants, but most lovingly doth 
call them unto him, as the holy Gospel 
doth witness to our comfort. 

^]" Then the Minister shall say as followeth. 

Hear the words of the Gospel, written by 
St. Mark, in the tenth Chapter, at the 
thirteenth Verse. 

They brought young children to Christ, 
that he should touch them ; and his 
disciples rebuked those that brought 
them. But when Jesus saw it, he was 
much displeased, and said unto them, 
Suffer the little children to come unto me, 
and forbid them not : for of such is the 
kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, 
Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom 
of God as a little child, he shall not enter 
therein. And he took them up in his 
arms, put his hands upon them, and 
blessed them. 

^[ After the Gospel is read, the Minister shall make 
this brief Exhortation upon the words of the Gospel. 

Beloved, ye hear in this Gospel the 
words of our Saviour Christ, that he 
commanded the children to be brought 
unto him ; how he blamed those who 
would have kept them from him ; how 
he exhorteth all men to follow their 
innocency. Ye perceive how, by his 
outward gesture and deed, he declared 
his good will toward them ; for he em- 
braced them in his arms, he laid his 
hands upon them, and blessed them. 



THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 11 

Doubt ye not therefore, but earnestly 
believe, that he hath likewise favourably 
received this present Infant ; that he hath 
embraced him with the arms of his mercy ; 
and, as he hath promised in his holy 
Word, will give unto him the blessing of 
eternal life, and make him partaker of his 
everlasting kingdom. 

Wherefore, we being thus persuaded of 
the good will of our heavenly Father, 
declared by his Son Jesus Christ, towards 
this Infant, let us faithfully and devoutly 
give thanks unto him, and say the Prayer 
which the Lord himself taught us. 

Our Father, who art in heaven, Hal- 
lowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom 
come. Thy will be done on earth, As 
it is in heaven. Give us this day our 
daily bread. And forgive us our tres- 
passes, As we forgive those who trespass 
against us. And lead us not into tempt- 
ation; but deliver us from evil. Amen. 

*T Then shall the Minister demand the name of the 
Child ; which being by the Godfathers and God- 
mothers pronottnced, the Minister shall soy as 
foltoweth. 

Dost thou, in the name of this Child, 
renounce the devil and all his works, the 
vain pomp and glory of the world, with 
all covetous desires of the same, and the 
sinful desires of the flesh, so that thou 
wilt not follow, nor be led by them? 

Answer. I renounce them all; and, by 
God's help, will endeavour not to follow, 
nor be led by them. 

Minister. Dost thou believe all the 
Articles of the Christian Faith, as con- 
tained in the Apostles' Creed? 

Answer. I do. 

Minister. Wilt thou then obediently 
keep God's holy will and commandments, 
and walk in the same all the days of thy 
life? 

Answer. I will, by God's help. 

^[ Then the Minister shall say, 



12 THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 

We receive this Child into the con- 
gregation of Christ's flock; 
and do *sign him with the * Here the Min- 
sign of the Cross, in token iste r r shal [ mak f 

& ' a Cross upon the 

that hereafter he shall not be Child's forehead. 
ashamed to confess the faith 
of Christ crucified, and manfully to fight 
under his banner, against sin, the world, 
and the devil; and to continue Christ's 
faithful soldier and servant unto his life's 
end. Amen. 

^[ The same rule is to be observed here, as to the 
omission of the sign of the Cross, as in the Public 
Bap tism of Infa nts . 

TJ Then shall the Minister say, 

Seeing now, dearly beloved brethren, 
that this Child is regenerate, and grafted 
into the body of Christ's Church, let us 
give thanks unto Almighty God for these 
benefits ; and with one accord make our 
prayers unto him, that this Child may 
lead the rest of his life according to this 
beginning. 

^[ Then shall be said, all kneeling, 

We yield thee hearty thanks, most 
merciful Father, that it hath pleased thee 
to regenerate this Infant with thy Holy 
Spirit, to receive him for thine own Child 
by adoption, and to incorporate him into 
thy holy Church. And humbly we be- 
seech thee to grant, that he, being dead 
unto sin, and living unto righteousness, 
and being buried with Christ in his death, 
may crucify the old man, and utterly 
abolish the whole body of sin; and that, 
as he is made partaker of the death of thy 
Son, he may also be partaker of his 
resurrection; so that finally, with the 
residue of thy holy Church, he may be 
an inheritor of thine everlasting kingdom ; 
through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

^[ Then, all standing up, the Minister shall say to 
the Godfathers and Godmothers this Exhortation 
following. 



THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 13 

Forasmuch as this Cliild hath promised 
by you his sureties to renounce the devil 
and all his works, to believe in God, and 
to serve him; ye must remember, that it 
is your parts and duties to see that this 
InfciJit be taught, so soon as he shall be 
able to learn, what a solemn vow, 
promise, and profession, he hath here 
made by you. And that he may know 
these things the better, ye shall call upon 
him to hear Sermons ; and chiefly ye 
shall provide, that he may learn the 
Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten 
Commandments, and all other things 
which a Christian ought to know and 
believe to his soul's health; and that this 
Child may be virtuously brought up to 
lead a godly and a Christian life ; remem- 
bering always, that Baptism doth repre- 
sent unto us our profession; which is, to 
follow the example of our Saviour Christ, 
and to be made like unto him ; that, as 
he died, and rose again for us, so should 
we, who are baptized, die from sin, and 
rise again unto righteousness ; continually 
mortifying all our evil and corrupt af- 
fections, and daily proceeding in all virtue 
and godliness of living. 

^[ Then sJiall he add, and say, 

Ye are to take care that this Child be 
brought to the Bishop to be confirmed 
by him, so soon as he can say the Creed, 
the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Com- 
mandments, and is sufficiently instructed 
in the other parts of the Church-Cate- 
chism set forth for that purpose. 



■j Bui if they who bring the Infant to the Church 
do make such uncertain ans7oers to the /Minister's 
questions, as that it cannot appear that the Child was 
baptized with water, In the Name of the Father, 
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, (which are 
essentia/ parts of Baptism J then let the Minister 
baptize it in the Form before appointed for Public 
Baptism of Infants ; saving that at the dipping of 
the Child in the font, be shall use this Form of 
words : 



14 THE RTTES OF THE CHURCH. 

If thou art not already baptized, 
N., I baptize thee In the Name of the 
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy 
Ghost. Amen. 

17 If Infant Baptism, and the receivitig of Infants 
baptized in private, are to be at the same time, the 
Minister may make the Questions to the Sponsors, 
and the succeeding Prayers, serve for both. And 
again, after the Immersion, or the pouring of 
Water, and the receiving into the Church, the Min- 
ister may use the remainder of the Service for both. 



The Ministration of Baptism to Such 

as are of Riper Years, and Able 

to Answer for Themselves. 

17 When any such Persons as are of riper years are 
to be baptized, timely notice shall be given to the 
Minister ; that so due care may be taken for their 
examination, whether they be sufficiently instructed 
in the Principles of the Christian Religion ; and 
that they may be exhorted to prepare themselves, with 
Prayers and Fasting, for the receiving of this holy 
Sacrament. 

17 And if they shall be found fit, then the Godfathers- 
and Godmothers (the People being assembled upon 
the Sunday, Holy-day or Prayer-day appointed) shall 
be ready to present them at the Font, immediately 
after the second lesson, either at Morning or Even- 
ing Prayer, as the Minister, in his discretion, shall 
think fit. And standing there, the Minister shall 
say, 

Hath this Person been already baptized, 
or no? 

U If they answer, No : then shall the Minister (the 
People all standing until the lord's Prayer J proceed 
as followeth . 

Dearly beloved, forasmuch as all men 
are conceived and born in sin, (and that 
which is born of the flesh is flesh,) and 
they who are in the flesh cannot please 
God, but live in sin, committing many 
actual transgressions ; and our Saviour 
Christ saith. None can enter into the 
kingdom of God, except he be regenerate 



THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 15 

and born anew of water and of the Holy 
Ghost; I beseech you to call upon God 
the Father, through our Lord Jesus 
Christ, that of his bounteous goodness 
he will grant to these Persons that which 
by nature they cannot have ; that they 
may be baptized with Water and the 
Hoi)' Ghost, and received into Christ's 
holy Church, and be made lively members 
of the same. 

^[ Then shall the Minister say, 

Let us pray. 

Almighty and everlasting God, who of 
thy great mercy didst save Noah and his 
family in the ark from perishing by water ; 
and also didst safely lead the children of 
Israel thy people through the Red Sea, 
figuring thereby thy holy Baptism ; and 
by the Baptism of thy well-beloved Son 
Jesus Christ in the river Jordan, didst 
sanctify the element of Water to the 
mystical washing away of sin; We be- 
seech thee, for thine infinite mercies, that 
thou wilt mercifully look upon these thy 
Servants ; wash tliem and sanctify them 
with the Holy Ghost; that they, being 
delivered from thy wrath, may be received 
into the ark of Christ's Church ; and being 
stedfast in faith, joyful through hope, and 
rooted in charity, may so pass the waves 
of this troublesome world, that finally they 
may come to the land of everlasting life, 
there to reign with thee, world without 
end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

*f Or this. 

Almighty and immortal God, the aid of 
all who need, the helper of all who flee to 
thee for succour, the life of those who be- 
lieve, and the resurrection of the dead; 
We call upon thee for these thy Servants, 
that they, coming to thy holy Baptism, 
may receive remission of their sins, by 
spiritual regeneration. Receive them, 
O Lord, as thou hast promised by thy 



16 THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 

well-beloved Son, saying, Ask, and ye 
shall receive; seek, and ye shall find; 
knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 
So give now unto us who ask ; let us who 
seek, find; open the gate unto us who 
knock ; that these thy Servants may enjoy 
the everlasting benediction of thy heavenly- 
washing, and may come to the eternal 
kingdom which thou hast promised by 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

■ff Then the Minister shall say, 

Hear the words of the Gospel, written by 
St. John, in the third Chapter, be- 
ginning at the first Verse. 

There was a man of the Pharisees, 
named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 
the same came to Jesus by night, and 
said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou 
art a teacher come from God : for no 
man can do these miracles that thou 
doest, except God be with him. Jesus 
answered and said unto him, Verily, 
verily, I say unto thee, Except a man 
be born again, he cannot see the kingdom 
of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How 
can a man be born when he is old? can 
he enter the second time into his mother's 
womb, and be born? Jesus answered, 
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a 
man be born of water and of the Spirit, 
he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 
That which is born of the flesh is flesh ; 
and that which is born of the Spirit is 
spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, 
Ye must be born again. The wind blow- 
eth where it listeth, and thou hearest the 
sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it 
cometh, and whither it goeth : so is every 
one that is born of the Spirit. 

*[] After which he shall say this Exhortation following. 

Beloved, ye hear in this Gospel the 
express words of our Saviour Christ, that 
except a man be born of water and of the 
Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom 



THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 17 

of God. Whereby ye may perceive the 
great necessity of this Sacrament, where 
it may be had. Likewise, immediately 
before his ascension into heaven, (as we 
read in the last Chapter of Saint Mark's 
Gospel,) he gave command to his dis- 
ciples, saying, Go ye into all the world, 
and preach the Gospel to every creature. 
He that believeth and is baptized shall be 
saved ; but he that believeth not shall be 
damned. Which also showeth unto us 
the great benefit we reap thereby. For 
which cause Saint Peter the Apostle, 
when upon his first preaching of the 
Gospel many were pricked at the heart, 
and said to him and the rest of the 
Apostles, Men and brethren, what shall 
we do? replied and said unto them, 
Repent, and be baptized every one of you 
for the remission of sins, and ye shall re- 
ceive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For 
the promise is to you and your children, 
and to all that are afar off, even as many 
as the Lord our God shall call. And 
with many other words exhorted he them, 
saying, Save yourselves from this unto- 
ward generation. For (as the same 
Apostle testifieth in another place) even 
Baptism doth also now save us, (not the 
putting away of the filth of the flesh, but 
the answer of a good conscience towards 
God, ) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 
Doubt ye not therefore, but earnestly be- 
lieve, that he will favourably receive these 
present Persons, truly repenting, and com- 
ing unto him by faith ; that he will grant 
them remission of their sins, and bestow 
upon ///^w the Holy Ghost; that he will 
give them the blessing of eternal life, and 
make them partakers of his everlasting 
kingdom. 

\\ herefore, we being thus persuaded of 
the good will of our heavenly Father 
toward these Persons, declared by his Son 
Jesus Christ; let us faithfully and de- 
voutly give thanks to him, and say, 



18 THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 

Almighty and everlasting God, heavenly 
Father, We give thee humble thanks, For 
that thou hast vouchsafed to call us to the 
knowledge of thy grace, and faith in thee: 
Increase this knowledge, And confirm this 
faith in us evermore. Give thy Holy 
Spirit to these thy Servants, That they 
may be born again, And be made heirs of 
everlasting salvation ; Through our Lord 
Jesus Christ, Who liveth and reigneth with 
thee and the Holy Spirit, Now and for 
ever. Amen. 

^[ Then the Minister shall speak to the Persons to be 
baptized on this wise. 

Well-beloved, who are come hither de- 
siring to receive holy Baptism, ye have 
heard how the congregation hath prayed, 
that our Lord Jesus Christ would vouch- 
safe to receive you and bless you, to re- 
lease you of your sins, to give you the 
kingdom of heaven, and everlasting life. 
Ye have heard also, that our Lord Jesus 
Christ hath promised in his holy Word to 
grant all those things that we have prayed 
for; which promise he, for his part, will 
most surely keep and perform. 

Wherefore, after this promise made by 
Christ, ye must also faithfully, for your 
part, in the presence of these your Wit- 
nesses, and this whole congregation, 
promise and answer to the following 
questions. 

^[ The Minister shall then demand of the Persons to be 
baptized as folloxveth ; the Questions being considered 
as addressed to them severally, and the Answers to be 
made accordingly . 

Question . 

Dost thou renounce the devil and all 
his works, the vain pomp and glory of the 
world, with all covetous desires of the 
same, and the sinful desires of the flesh, 
so that thou wilt not follow, nor be led by 
them? 

Answer. I renounce them all; and, by 
God's help, will endeavour not to follow, 
nor be led by them. 



THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 19 

Minister. Dost thou believe all the 
Articles of the Christian Faith, as con- 
tained in the Apostles' Creed? 

Answer. I do. 

Question. Wilt thou be baptized in this 
Faith? 

Answer. That is my desire. 

Question. Wilt thou then obediently 
keep God's holy will and commandments, 
and walk in the same all the days of thy 
life? 

Answer. I will, by God's help. 

^[ Then shall the Minister say. 

O Merciful God, grant that the old 
Adam in these thy Servants may be so 
buried, that the new man may be raised 
up in them. Amen. 

Grant that all sinful affections may die 
in them, and that all things belonging 
to the Spirit may live and grow in them. 
Amen. 

Grant that they may have power and 
strength to have victory, and to triumph, 
against the devil, the world, and the flesh. 
Amen. 

Grant that they] being here dedicated 
to thee by our office and ministry, may 
also be endued with heavenly virtues, 
and everlastingly rewarded, through thy 
mercy, O blessed Lord God, who dost 
live, and govern all things, world without 
end. Amen. 

Almighty, everliving God, whose most 
dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ, for the 
forgiveness of our sins, did shed out of his 
most precious side both water and blood ; 
and gave commandment to his disciples, 
that they should go teach all nations, and 
baptize them In the Name of the Father, 
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; 
Regard, we beseech thee, the suppli- 
cations of thy congregation; sanctify this 
Water to the mystical washing away of 
sin ; and grant that these thy Servants, 



20 THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 

now to be baptized therein, may receive 
the fulness of thy grace, and ever remain 
in the number of thy faithful children ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

^| Then shall the Minister take each Person to be 
baptized by the right hand ; and placing him con- 
veniently by the Font, according to his discretion, 
shall ask the Godfathers and Godmothers the Name; 
and then shall dip him in the water, or pour water 
upon him, saying, 

N. I baptize thee In the Name of the 
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy 
Ghost. Amen. 

^f Then shall the Minister say, 

We receive this Person into the congre- 
gation of Christ's flock, and 

5 ' * • / • -i.U4.u- * Here the Min- 

do *sign him with the sign ister shall make 

Of the CrOSS, in token that a Cross upon the 

hereafter he shall not be ^ s / n ' s fore ~ 
ashamed to confess the faith 
of Christ crucified, and manfully to fight 
under his banner, against sin, the world, 
and the devil; and to continue Christ's 
faithful soldier and servant unto his life's 
end. Amen. 

*f[ The same rule, as to the omission of the sign of the 
Cross, is to be observed here as in the Baptism of 
Infants. 

^[ Then shall the Minister say, 

Seeing now, dearly beloved brethren, 
that these Persons are regenerate, and 
grafted into the body of Christ's Church, 
let us give thanks unto Almighty God for 
these benefits ; and with one accord make 
our prayers unto him, that they may lead 
the rest of their life according to this 
beginning. 

^[ Then shall be said the Lord's Prayer, all kneeling. 

Our Father, who art in heaven, Hal- 
lowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom 
come. Thy will be done on earth, As 
it is in heaven. Give us this day our 
daily bread. And forgive us our tres- 
passes, As we forgive those who trespass 



THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 21 

against us. And lead us not into tempt- 
ation; But deliver us from evil. Amen. 

We yield thee hearty thanks, most 
merciful Father, that it hath pleased thee 
to regenerate these thy Servants with thy 
Holy Spirit, to receive them for thine own 
children by adoption, and to incorporate 
them into thy holy Church. And humbly 
we beseech thee to grant, that they, being 
dead unto sin, and living unto righteous- 
ness, and being buried with Christ in his 
death, may crucify the old man, and 
utterly abolish the whole body of sin ; 
and that, as they are made partakers of 
the death of thy Son, they may also be 
partakers of his resurrection ; so that 
finally, with the residue of thy holy 
Church, they may be inheritors of thine 
everlasting kingdom ; through Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

^f Then, all standing up, the Minister shall use this 
Exhortation following ; speaking to the Godfathers 
and Godmothers first. 

Forasmuch as these Persons have prom- 
ised, in your presence, to renounce the 
devil and all his works, to believe in God, 
and to serve him ; ye must remember, 
that it is your part and duty to put them 
in mind, what a solemn vow, promise, 
and profession, they have now made be- 
fore this congregation, and especially 
before you their chosen witnesses. And 
ye are also to call upon them to use all 
diligence to be rightly instructed in God's 
holy Word ; that so they may grow in 
grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord 
Jesus Christ, and live godly, righteously, 
and soberly, in this present world. 

■~ And then, speaking to the baptized Persons, he shall 
proceed and say, 

And as for you, who have now by 
Baptism put on Christ, it is your part and 
duty also, being made the children of 
God and of the light, by faith in Jesus 



22 THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 

Christ, to walk answerably to your 
Christian calling, and as becometh the 
children of light; remembering always, 
that Baptism doth represent unto us our 
profession; which is, to follow the ex- 
ample of our Saviour Christ, and to be 
made like unto him; that, as he died, 
and rose again for us, so should we, who 
are baptized, die from sin, and rise again 
unto righteousness ; continually mortifying 
all our evil and corrupt affections, and 
daily proceeding in all virtue and godli- 
ness of living. 

'^[ It is expedient that every Person, thus baptized, 
should be confirmed by the Bishop, so soon after Ids 
Baptism as conveniently may be ; that so he may 
be admitted to the Holy Communion. 

^[ Whereas necessity may require the baptizing of Adtilts 
in private houses, in consideration of extreme sick- 
ness ; the same is hereby allowed in that case. And 
a convenient number of persons shall be assembled in 
the house where the Sacrament is to be administered. 
And in the exJwrtation, Well-beloved, etc. , instead 
of these words, come hither desiring, shall be in- 
serted this word desirous. And in case of great 
necessity, the Minister may begin with the questions 
addressed to the candidate, and end with the thanks- 
giving following the baptism. 

^\ If there be occasion for the Office of Infant Baptism 
and that of Adults at the same time, the Minister 
shall use the exhortation and one of the prayers next 
following in the Office for Adults ; only, in the 
exhortation and prayer, after the words, these Per- 
sons, and these thy Servants, adding, and these 
Infants. Then the Minister shall proceed to the 
questions to be demanded in the cases respectively. 
After the immersion, or the pouring of water, the 
prayer shall be as in this service ; only, after the 
words, these thy Servants, shall be added, and 
these Infants. After which the remaining part 
of each service shall be used; first that for Adults, 
and lastly that for Infants. 

\ If any persons, not baptized in their infancy, shall 
be brought to be baptized before they come to years 
of discretion to answer for themselves, it may suffice 
to use the Office for Public Baptism of Infants ; or, 
in case of extreme danger, the Office for Private 
Baptism ; only changing the word Infant, for Child, 
or Person, as occasion requireth. 

% If there be reasonable doubt concerning the baptism 
of any person, such person may be baptized in the 
manner herein appointed ; saving that, at the 
immersion or the pouring of water, the Minister 
shall use this form of words : 



THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 23 

If thou art not already baptized, N. , I 
baptize thee In the Name of the Father, 
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 
Amen. 



Infant and Adult Baptism, 
Combined. 

Hath this person been already baptized, 
or no? Hath this child been already bap- 
tized, or no? 

*[ If they answer, No; then shall the Minister proceed' 
as follozoeth. 

Dearly beloved, forasmuch as all men 
are conceived and born in sin, (and that 
which is born of the flesh is flesh,) and 
they who are in the flesh cannot please 
God, but live in sin, committing many 
actual transgressions ; and our Saviour 
Christ saith, None can enter into the 
kingdom of God, except he be regenerate 
and born anew of water and of the Holy 
Ghost ; I beseech you to call upon God 
the Father, through our Lord Jesus 
Christ, that of his bounteous goodness, 
he will grant to these Persons and these 
Infants that which by nature they cannot 
have ; that they may be baptized with 
Water and the Holy Ghost, and received 
into Christ's holy Church, and be made 
lively members of the same. 

% Then shall the Minister say, 

Let us pray. 

Almighty and everlasting God, who of 
thy great mercy didst save Noah and his 
family in the Ark from perishing by 
water; and also didst safely lead the 
children of Israel thy people through the 
Red Sea, figuring thereby thy holy Bap- 
tism ; and by the Baptism of thy well- 
beloved Son Jesus Christ, in the river 



24 THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 

Jordan, didst sanctify the element of 
Water to the mystical washing away of 
sin; We beseech thee, for thine infinite 
mercies, that thou wilt mercifully look 
upon these thy Servants and these Infants; 
wash them and sanctify them with the 
Holy Ghost; that they, being delivered 
from thy wrath, may be received into the 
ark of Christ's Church; and being sted- 
fast in faith, joyful through hope, and 
rooted in charity, may so pass the waves 
of this troublesome world, that finally 
they may come to the land of everlasting 
life, there to reign with thee, world with- 
out end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

% The Minister shall then demand of the Persons to be 
baptized as follows : the Questions being considered 
as addressed to them severally, and the answers to be 
made accordingly . 

Question . 

Dost thou renounce the devil and all 
his works, the vain pomp and glory of 
the world, with all covetous desires of the 
same, and the sinful desires of the flesh, 
so that thou wilt not follow, nor be led by 
them? 

Answer. I renounce them all; and, by 
God's help, will endeavour not to follow, 
nor be led by them. 

Question. Dost thou believe all the 
Articles of the Christian Faith, as con- 
tained in the Apostles' Creed. 

Answer. I do. 

Question. Wilt thou be baptized in this 
Faith? 

Answer. That is my desire. 

Question. Wilt thou then obediently 
keep God's holy will and commandments, 
and walk in the same all the days of thy 
life? 

Answer. I will, by God's help. 

•ff The Minister shall then demand of the Sponsors as 
follows : the questions being considered as addressed 
to them severally, and the answers to be made 
accordingly . 



THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 25 

I demand therefore, 

Dost thou, in the name of this Child, 
renounce the devil and all his works, the 
vain pomp and glory of the world, with 
all covetous desires of the same, and the 
sinful desires of the flesh, so that thou 
wilt not follow, nor be led by them? 

Answer. I renounce them all; and, by 
God's help, will endeavour not to follow, 
nor be led by them. 

Minister. Dost thou • believe all the 
Articles of the Christian Faith, as con- 
tained in the Apostles' Creed? 

Answer. I do. 

Minister. Wilt thou be baptized in this 
Faith? 

Answer. That is my desire. 

Minister. Wilt thou then obediently 
keep God's holy will and* commandments, 
and walk in the same all the days of thy 
life? 

Answer. I will, by God's help. 

*| TJien sliall the Minister say, 

O Merciful God, grant that the old 
A.dam in these Persons mid these Infants 
may be so buried, that the new man may 
be raised up in them. Amen. 

Grant that all sinful affections may die 
in them, and that all things belonging to 
the Spirit may live and grow in them. 
Amen. 

Grant that they may have power and 
strength to have victory, and to triumph 
against the devil, the world, and the 
flesh. Amen. 

Grant that they, being here dedicated 
to thee by our office and ministry, may 
also be endued with heavenly virtues, 
and everlastingly rewarded, through thy 
mercy, O blessed Lord God, who dost 
live and govern all things, world without 
end. Amen. 

Almighty, everliving God, whose most 
dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ, for the 



26 THE RTTES OF THE CHURCH. 

forgiveness of our sins, did shed out of 
his most precious side both water and 
blood ; and gave commandment to his 
disciples, that they should go teach all 
nations, and baptize them In the Name of 
the Father, and of the Son, and of the 
Holy Ghost; Regard, we beseech thee, 
the supplications of thy congregation ; 
sanctify this Water to the mystical wash- 
ing away of sin ; and grant that these 
Persons and these Infants now to be bap- 
tized therein, may receive the fulness of 
thy grace, and ever remain in the number 
of thy faithful children ; through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

^[ Then shall the Minister take each Person to be bap- 
tized by the right hand ; and placing him conven- 
iently by the Font, according to his discretion, shall 
ask the Godfathers and Godmothers the Name ; -and 
then shall dip him in the water or pour water upon 
him, saying, 

N. I baptize thee In the Name of the 
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy 
Ghost. Amen. 

TJ Then shall the Minister say, 

We receive this Person into the con- 
gregation of Christ's flock; 

a a * • /• vu 4.U * Here the Min- 

and do *sign htm with the ister shall make 
sign of the Cross, in token a Cross upon the 
that hereafter he shall not be ^ad^" f ° r6 ~ 
ashamed to confess the faith 
of Christ crucified, and manfully to fight 
under his banner, against sin, the world, 
and the devil; and to continue Christ's 
faithful soldier and servant unto his life's 
end. Amen. 

^[ Then the Minister shall take the Child into his hands, 
and shall say to the Godfathers and Godmothers, 

Name this Child. 

^]~ And then, naming it after them, he shall dip it in 
the water discreetly, or shall pour water upon it, 
saying, 

N. I baptize thee In the Name of the 
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy 
Ghost. Amen. 



THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 27 

^\ Then shall the Minister say, 

We receive this Child into the con- 
gregation of Christ's flock; 
and do *sign him with the * Here the Mih- 
sign of the Cross, in token iste r r shal [ ma * e 

& ' a C ross upon the 

that hereafter lie shall not be child's forehead. 
ashamed to confess the faith 
of Christ crucified, and manfully to fight 
under his banner, against sin, the world, 
and the devil; and to continue Christ's 
faithful soldier and servant unto his life's, 
end. Amen. 

^f If those who present the Infant shall desire the sign 
of the Cross to be omitted, although the Church hnow- 
eth no worthy cause of scruple concerning the same, 
yet in that case, the Minister may omit that part of 
the above zohich followeth the Immersion, or the pour- 
ing of Water on the Infant. 

•f[ Then shall the Minister say, 

Seeing now, dearly beloved brethren, 
that these Persons and these Infants are 
regenerate, and grafted into the body of 
Christ's Church, let us give thanks unto 
Almighty God for these benefits ; and 
with one accord make our prayers unto 
him, that they may lead the rest of their 
life according to this beginning. 

■" Then shall be said the Lord's Prayer, all kneeling. 

Our Father, who art in heaven, Hal- 
lowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom 
come. Thy will be done on earth, As 
it is in heaven. Give us this day our 
daily bread. And forgive us our tres- 
passes, As we forgive those who trespass 
against us. And lead us not into tempt- 
ation ; But deliver us from evil. Amen. 

r Then shall the Minister say, 

We yield thee hearty thanks, most 
merciful Father, that it hath pleased thee 
to regenerate these thy Servants and these 
Infants with thy Holy Spirit, to receive 
them for thine own children by adoption, 
and to incorporate them into thy holy 
Church. And humbly we beseech thee 
to grant, that they, being dead unto sin, 



28 THE RITEjS OF THE CHURCH. 



and living unto righteousness, and being 
buried with Christ in his death, may 
crucify the old man, and utterly abolish 
the whole body of sin ; and that, as they 
are made partakers of the death of thy 
Son, they may. also be partakers of his 
resurrection; so that finally, with the 
residue of thy holy Church, they may be 
inheritors of thine everlasting kingdom ; 
through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

*\\ Then, all standing up, the Minister shall use this 
Exhortation following ; speaking to the Godfathers 
and Godmothers first. 

Forasmuch as these Persons have prom- 
ised, in your presence, to renounce the 
devil and all his works, to believe in God, 
and to serve him ; ye must remember, 
that it is your part and .duty to put them 
in mind, what a solemn vow, promise, 
and profession, they have now made before 
this congregation, and especially before 
you their chosen witnesses. And ye are 
also to call upon them to use all diligence 
to be rightly instructed in God's holy 
Word; that so they may grow in grace, 
and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus 
Christ; and live godly, righteously, and 
soberly, in this present world. 

^[ And then, speaking to the baptized Persons, he shall 
proceed and say, 

And as for you, who have now by 
Baptism put on Christ, it is your part and 
duty also, being made the children of 
God and of the light, by faith in Jesus 
Christ, to walk answerably to your 
Christian calling, and as becometh the 
children of light; remembering always, 
that Baptism representeth unto us our 
profession; which is, to follow the ex- 
ample of our Saviour Christ, and to be 
made like unto him; that as he died, and 
rose again for us, so should we, who are 
baptized, die from sin, and rise again 
unto righteousness ; continually mortify- 
ing all our evil and corrupt affections, 
and daily proceeding in all virtue and 
godliness of living. 



THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 29 

H Then the Minister shall say to the Godfathers and 
Godmothers this Exhortation following. 

Forasmuch as this Child hath promised 
by you his sureties, to renounce the devil 
and all his works, to believe in God, and 
to serve him ; ye must remember, that it 
is your parts and duties to see that this 
Infant be taught, so soon as he shall be 
able to learn, what a solemn vow, prom- 
ise, and profession he hath here made by 
you. And that he may know these 
things the better, ye shall call upon him 
to hear Sermons ; and chiefly ye shall 
provide, that he may learn the Creed, the 
Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Command- 
ments, and all other things which a 
Christian ought to know and believe to 
his soul's health ; and that this Child 
may be virtuously brought up to lead a 
godly and a Christian life ; remembering 
always, that Baptism doth represent unto 
us our profession; which is, to follow the 
example of our Saviour Christ, and to be 
made like unto him; that, as he died, 
and rose again for us, so should we, who 
are baptized, die from sin, and rise again 
unto righteousness ; continually mortify- 
ing all our evil and corrupt affections, 
and daily proceeding in all virtue and 
godliness of living. 

^[ Then shall he add, and say, 

Ye are to take care that this Child be 
brought to the Bishop to be confirmed by 
him, so soon as he can say the Creed, the 
Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Command- 
ments, and is sufficiently instructed in 
the other parts of the Church-Catechism 
set forth for that purpose. 



30 THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 



The Order of Confirmation, or Laying 

On^of Hands Upon Those who are 

Baptized, and Come to Years 

of Discretion. 

^[ Upon the day appointed, all that are to be then con- 
firmed, being placed and standing in order before the 
Bishop, sitting in his chair near to the Holy Table, 
he, or some other Minister appointed by him, may read 
this preface folloxving ; the People standing until the 
Lord's Prayer. 

To the end that Confirmation may be 
ministered to the more edifying of such as 
shall receive it, the Church hath thought 
good to order, That none shall be con- 
firmed, but such as can say the Creed, 
the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Com- 
mandments ; and can also answer to such 
other Questions, as in the short Cate- 
chism are contained : which order is very 
convenient to be observed ; to the end 
that children, being now come to the 
years of discretion, and having learned 
what their Godfathers and Godmothers 
promised for them in Baptism, may 
themselves, with their own mouth and 
consent, openly before the Church, ratify 
and confirm the same; and also promise, 
that, by the grace of God, they will ever- 
more endeavour themselves faithfully to 
observe such things, as they, by their 
own confession, have assented unto. 

^[ Then the Minister shall present unto the Bishop 
those who are to be confirmed, and shall say, 

Reverend Father in God, I present unto 
you these children [or these persons] to 
receive the Laying on of Hands. 

^[ 77ien the Bishop, or some Minister appointed by him, 
may say , 

Hear the words of the Evangelist Saint 
Luke, in the eighth Chapter of the 
Book of the Acts of the Apostles. 

When the apostles which were at Jeru- 
salem heard that Samaria had received 



THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 31 

the word of God, they sent unto them 
Peter and John: who, when they were 
come down, prayed for them, that they 
might receive the Holy Ghost: (for as 
yet he was fallen upon none of them : 
only they were baptized in the name of 
the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their 
hands on them, and they received the 
Holy Ghost. 

*[ Then shall the Bishop say, 

Do ye here, in the presence of God, 
and of this congregation, renew the sol- 
emn promise and vow that ye made, or 
that was made in your name, at your 
Baptism ; ratifying and confirming the 
same ; and acknowledging yourselves 
bound to believe and to do all those 
things which ye then undertook, or your 
Sponsors then undertook for you? 

■[[ And every one shall audibly answer, 

I do. 

Bishop. 

Our help is in the Name of the Lord; 

Answer. Who hath made heaven and 
earth. 

Bishop. Blessed be the Name of the 
Lord ; 

Answer. Henceforth, world without end. 

Bishop. Lord, hear our prayer. , 

Answer. And let our cry come unto 
thee. 

Bishop. Let us pray. 

Almighty and everliving God, who 
hast vouchsafed to regenerate these thy 
servants by Water and the Holy Ghost, 
and hast given unto them forgiveness of 
all their sins; Strengthen them, we be- 
seech thee, O Lord, with the Holy Ghost, 
the Comforter, and daily increase in them 
thy manifold gifts of grace : the spirit of 
wisdom and understanding, the spirit of 
counsel and ghostly strength, the spirit of 



32 THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 

knowledge and true godliness ; and fill 
them, O Lord, with the spirit of thy holy 
fear, now and for ever. Amen. 

^[ Then all of them in order kneeling before the Bishop, 
he shall lay his hands upon the head of every one 
severally, saying, 

Defend, O Lord, this thy Child [or 
this thy Servant] with thy heavenly 
grace ; that he may continue thine for 
ever; and daily increase in thy Holy 
Spirit more and more, until he come unto 
thy everlasting kingdom. Amen. 

^J Then shall the Bishop say, 

The Lord be with you. 
Answer. And with thy spirit. 

^[ And all kneeling down, the Bishop shall add, 

Let us pray. 

Our Father, who art in heaven, Hal- 
lowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. 
Thy will be done on earth, As it is in 
heaven. Give us this day our daily 
bread. And forgive us our trespasses, 
As we forgive those who trespass against 
us. And lead us not into temptation; 
But deliver us from evil. Amen. 

^[ And these Collects. 

Almighty and everliving God, who 
makest us both to will and to do those 
things which are good, and acceptable 
unto thy Divine Majesty ; We make our 
humble supplications unto thee for these 
thy servants, upon whom, after the ex- 
ample of thy holy Apostles, we have now 
laid our hands, to certify them, by this 
sign, of thy favour and gracious goodness 
towards them. Let thy fatherly hand, 
we beseech thee, ever be over them; let 
thy Holy Spirit ever be with them ; and 
so lead them in the knowledge and obe- 
dience of thy Word, that in the end they 
may obtain everlasting life ; through our 
Lord Jesus Christ, who with thee and the 
Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth ever, one 
God. world without end. Amen. 



THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 33 

O Almighty Lord, and everlasting God, 
vouchsafe, we beseech thee, to direct, 
sanctify, and govern, both our hearts and 
bodies, in the ways of thy laws, and in 
the works of thy commandments ; that, 
through thy most mighty protection, both 
here and ever, we may be preserved in 
body and soul ; through our Lord and 
Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. 

*| Then the Bishop shall bless /hem, saying tints, 

The Blessing of God Almighty, the 
Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be 
upon you, and remain with you for ever. 
Amen. 

^[ And there shall none be admitted to the Holy Com- 
munion, until such time as he be confirmed, or be 
ready and desirous to be confirmed. 

*[ The Minister shall n >t omit earnestly to move the 
Persons confirmed to come, without delay, to the 
Lord's Supper. 



The Form of Solemnization of 
Matrimony. 

•j The laws respecting Matrimony, whether by publish- 
ing- the Banns in Churches, or by Licence, being differ- 
ent in the several States, every Minister is lefit to the 
direction of those laws, in everything that regards the 
civil contract between the parties. 

*'\ And when the Banns are published, it shall be in the 
following form: I publish the Banns of Marriage 

between M. of , and N. of . If any of you 

know cause, or just impediment, why these two 
persons should not be joined together in holy 
Matrimony, ye are to declare it. This is the first 
[second or third] time of asking. 

*]" At the day and time appointed for Solemnization of 
Matrimony , the Persons to be married shall come into 
the body of the Church, or shall be ready in some 
proper house, with their friends and neighbours ; and 
there standing together, the Man on the right hand, 
and the Woman on the left, the Minister shall say, 

Dearly beloved, we are gathered to- 
gether here in the sight of God, and in 



34 THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 

the face of this company, to join together 
this Man and this Woman in holy Matri- 
mony ; which is an honourable estate, in- 
stituted of God in the time of man's in- 
nocency, signifying unto us the mystical 
union that is betwixt Christ and his 
Church : which holy estate Christ adorned 
and beautified with his presence and first 
miracle that he wrought in Cana of 
Galilee, and is commended of Saint Paul 
to be honourable among all men : and 
therefore is not by any to be entered into 
unadvisedly or lightly; but reverently, 
discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the 
fear of God. Into this holy estate these 
two persons present come now to be 
joined. If any man can show just cause, 
why they may not lawfully be joined 
together, let him now speak,. or else here- 
after for ever hold his peace. 

■ff And also speaking unto the Persons who are to be 
married, he shall say, 

I require and charge you both, as ye 
will answer at the dreadful day of judg- 
ment when the secrets of all hearts shall 
be disclosed, that if either of you know 
any impediment, why ye may not be 
lawfully joined together in Matrimony, 
ye do now confess it. For be ye well 
assured, that if any persons are joined 
together otherwise than as God's Word 
doth allow, their marriage is not lawful. 

■ j The Minister, if he shall have reason to dotibt of the 
lawfulness of the proposed Marriage, may demand 
sufficient surety for his indemnification : but if no 
impediment shall be alleged, or suspected, the Minister 
shall say to the man, 

M. Wilt thou have this Woman to thy 
wedded wife, to live together after God's 
ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? 
Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour, 
and keep her in sickness and in health ; 
and, forsaking all others, keep thee only 
unto her, so long as ye both shall live? 



THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 35 

*~ The Man slnill answer \ 

I will. 

■ Then shall the Minister say unto the IVoman, 

X. Wilt thou have this Man to thy 
wedded husband, »to live together after 
God's ordinance in the holy estate of 
Matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, and 
serve him, love, honour, and keep him 
in sickness and in health; and, forsaking 
all others, keep thee only unto him, so 
long as ye both shall live? 

^[ The Woman sJiall answer, 

I will. 
*~ Then shall the Minister say, 

Who giveth this Woman to be married 
to this Man? 

*T Then shall they give their troth to each other in this 
manner. The Minister ',• receiving the Woman at her 
father's or friend's hands, shall cause the Man with 
his right hand to take the Woman by her right hand, 
and to say after him as followeth. 

I M . take thee .V. to my wedded Wife, 
to have and to hold from this day for- 
ward, for better for worse, for richer for 
poorer, in sickness and in health, to love 
and to cherish, till death us do part, 
according to God's holy ordinance; and 
thereto I plight thee my troth. 

•~ Then shall they loose their hands ; and the Woman 
with her right hand taking the Man by his right hand, 
shall likewise say after the Minister : 

I N. take thee M . to my wedded Hus- 
band, to have and to hold from this da)' 
forward, for better for worse, for richer 
for poorer, in sickness and in health, to 
love, cherish, and to obey, till death us 
do part, according to God's holy ordi- 
nance; and thereto I give thee my troth. 

•~ Then shall they again loose their hands ; and the Man 
shall give unto the Woman a King. And the Minis- 
ter taking the Ting shall deliver it unto the Man, to 
put it upon the fourth finger of the Woman's left 
hand. And the Man holding the Ring there, and 
taught by the Minister, shall say, 



36 THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 

With this Ring I thee wed, and with all 
my worldly goods I thee endow : In the 
Name of the Father, and of the Son, and 
of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 

^f Then, the Man, leaving the Ring upon the fourth 
finger of the Woman s left' hand, the Minister shall 
say, 

Let us pray. 

Our Father, who art in heaven, Hal- 
lowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom 
come. Thy will be done on earth, As 
it is in heaven. Give us this day our 
daily bread. And forgive us our tres- 
passes, As we forgive those who trespass 
against us. And lead us not into tempt- 
ation; But deliver us from evil. Amen. 

O Eternal God, Creator and Preserver 
of all mankind, Giver of all spiritual 
grace, the Author of everlasting life ; 
Send thy blessing Upon these thy ser- 
vants, this man and this woman, whom 
we bless in thy Name ; that, as Isaac and 
Rebecca lived faithfully together, so these 
persons may surely perform and keep the 
vow and covenant betwixt them made, 
(whereof this Ring given and received is 
a token and pledge,) and may ever re- 
main in perfect love and peace together, 
and live according to thy laws ; through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

5[ Then shall the Minister join their right hands to- 
gether, and say, 

Those whom God hath joined together 
let no man put asunder. 

^[ Then shall the Minister speak unto the company. 

Forasmuch as M '. and N. have con- 
sented together in holy wedlock, and 
have witnessed the same before God and 
this company, and thereto have given and 
pledged their troth, each to the other, 
and have declared the same by giving and 
receiving a Ring, and by joining hands; 
I pronounce that they are Man and Wife, 



THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 37 

In the Name of the Father, and of the 
Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 

■ And the Minister shall add this Blessing. 

God the Father, God the Son, God the 
Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep 
you ; the Lord mercifully with his favour 
look upon you, and fill you with all 
spiritual benediction and grace ; that ye 
ma} - so live together in this life, that in 
the world to come ye ma}' have life 
everlasting. Amen. 



The Order for the Visitation 
of the Sick. 

■7 When any person is sick, notice shall be given thereof 
to the Minister of the Parish ; who, coming into the 
sick person's house, shall say, 

Peace be to this house, and to all that 
dwell in it. 

•J When lie cometh into the sick ma/is presence, he shall 
say, kneeling down, 

Remember not, Lord, our iniquities, 
nor the iniquities of our forefathers : Spare 
us, good Lord, spare thy people, whom 
thou hast redeemed with thy most preci- 
ous blood, and be not angry with us for 
ever. 

Answer. Spare us, good Lord. 

^[ Then the Minister shall say, 

Let us pray. 

Lord, have mercy upon us. 
Christ, have mercy upon us. 
Lord, have mercy upon us. 

Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed 
be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy 
will be done on earth, As it is in heaven. 



38 THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 

Give us this day our daily bread. And 
forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive 
those who trespass against us. And lead 
us not into temptation; But deliver us 
from evil. Amen. 

Minister. O Lord, save thy servant; 

Answer. Who putteth his trust in thee. 

Minister. Send him help from thy holy 
place ; 

Answer. And evermore mightily defend 
him. 

Minister. Let the enemy have no ad- 
vantage of him; 

Answer. Nor the wicked approach to 
hurt him. 

Minister. Be unto him, O Lord, a 
strong tower ; 

Answer. From the face of his enemy. 

Minister. O Lord, hear our prayer. 

Answer. And let our cry come unto 
thee. 

Minister. 

O Lord, look down from heaven, be- 
hold, visit, and .relieve this thy servant. 
Look upon him with the eyes of thy 
mercy, give him comfort and sure confi- 
dence in thee, defend him from the dan- 
ger of the enemy, and keep him in per- 
petual peace and safety; through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Hear us, Almighty and most merciful 
God and Saviour ; extend thy accustomed 
goodness to this thy servant, who is 
grieved with sickness. Sanctify, we be- 
seech thee, this thy fatherly correction to 
him ; that the sense of his weakness may 
add strength to his faith, and seriousness 
to his repentance ; that, if it shall be thy 
good pleasure to restore him to his former 
health, he may lead the residue of his life 
in thy fear, and to thy glory: or else, 
give him grace so to take thy visitation, 
that, after this painful life ended, he may 
dwell with thee in life everlasting ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 39 

*[ Then shall the Minister exhort the sick Person after 
this form, or other like. 

Dearly beloved, know this, that Al- 
mighty God is the Lord of life and death, 
and of all things to them pertaining; as 
youth, strength, health, age, weakness, 
and sickness. Wherefore, whatsoever 
your sickness be, know you certainly that 
it is God's visitation. And for what 
cause soever this sickness be sent unto 
you ; whether it be to try your patience 
for the example of others, and that your 
faith may be found, in the day of the 
Lord, laudable, glorious, and honourable, 
to the increase of glory and endless 
felicity; or else it be sent unto you to 
correct and amend in you whatsoever 
doth offend the eyes of your heavenly 
Father; know you certainly, that if you 
truly repent you of your sins, and bear 
your sickness patiently, trusting in God's 
mercy for his dear Son Jesus Christ's 
sake, and render unto him humble thanks 
for his fatherly visitation, submitting your- 
self wholly unto his will, it shall turn to 
your profit, and help you forward in the 
right way that leadeth unto everlasting 
life. 

^[ If the Person visited be very sick, then the Mijiister 
may end his Exhortation in this place, or else pro- 
ceed. 

Take therefore in good part the chas- 
tisement of the Lord; for (as Saint Paul 
saith in the twelfth Chapter to the 
Hebrews) whom the Lord loveth he 
chasteneth, and scourgeth every son 
whom he receiveth. If ye endure chas- 
tening, God dealeth with you as with 
sons ; for what son is he whom the father 
chasteneth not? But if ye be without 
chastisement, whereof all are partakers, 
then are ye bastards, and not sons. 
Furthermore we have had fathers of our 
flesh which corrected us, and we gave 
them reverence: shall we not much rather 
be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, 



40 THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 

and live? For they verily for a few days 
chastened us after their own pleasure ; 
but he for our profit, that we might be 
partakers of his holiness. These words, 
good brother, are written in holy Scripture 
for our comfort and instruction ; that we 
should patiently, and with thanksgiving, 
bear our heavenly Father's correction, 
whensoever, by any manner of adversity, 
it shall please his gracious goodness to 
visit us. And there should be no greater 
comfort to Christian persons, than to be 
made like unto Christ, by suffering pa- 
tiently adversities, troubles, and sicknesses. 
For he himself went not up to joy, but 
first he suffered pain ; he entered not into 
his glory before he was crucified. So 
truly our way to eternal joy is to suffer 
here with Christ ; and our door to enter 
into eternal life is gladly to die with 
Christ ; that we may rise again from 
death, and dwell with him in everlasting 
life. Now therefore, taking your sick- 
ness, which is thus profitable for you, 
patiently, I exhort you, in the Name of 
God, to remember the profession which 
you made unto God in your Baptism. 
And forasmuch as after this life there is 
an account to be given unto the righteous 
Judge, by whom all must be judged, 
without respect of persons, I require you 
to examine yourself and your estate, both 
toward God and man; so that, accusing 
and condemning yourself for your own 
faults, you may find mercy at our heav- 
enly Father's hand for Christ's sake, and 
not be accused and condemned in that 
fearful judgment. Therefore I shall re- 
hearse to you the Articles of our Faith ; 
that you may know whether you do be- 
lieve as a Christian man should; or no. 

■{ Here the Minister shall rehearse the Articles of the 
Faith, saying thus, 

Dost thou believe in God the Father 
Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth? 



THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 41 

And in Jesus Christ his only-begotten 
Son our Lord? And that he was con- 
ceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the 
Virgin Mary : that he suffered under 
Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and 
buried: that he went down into hell, and 
also did rise again the third day : that he 
ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the 
right hand of God the Father Almighty: 
and from thence shall come again, at the 
end of the world, to judge the quick and 
the dead? 

And dost thou believe in the Holy 
Ghost : the holy Catholic Church ; the 
Communion of Saints: the Remission of 
sins : the Resurrection of the flesh : and 
everlasting Life after death? 

"If The sick person shall answer, 

All this I stedfastly believe. 

*" Then shall the Minister examine whether he repent 
him truly of his sins, and be in charity with all the 
world; exhorting him to forgive, from the bottom of 
his heart, all persons that have offended him : and if 
he hafh offended any other, to ask them forgiveness ; 
and where he hath done injury or zurojig to any man, 
that lie make amends to the uttermost of his poiver . 
And if he hath not before disposed of his goods, let 
him then be admonished to make his Will, and to de- 
clare his Debts, what he oweth, and what is owing 
unto him, for the better discharging of his conscience, 
and the quietness of his Executors. But men should 
often be put in remembrance to take order for the 
settling of their temporal estates, whilst they are in 
health. 

\\ The Exhortation before rehearsed, may be said before 
the Minister begins his Prayer, as he shall see cause. 

*\ The Minister shall not omit earnestly to move such 
sick persons as are of ability, to be liberal to the poor. 

•j And then the Minister shall' say the Collect following. 

Let us pray. 

O Most merciful God, who, according 
to the multitude of thy mercies, dost so 
put away the sins of those who truly re- 
pent, that thou rememberest them no 
more ; Open thine eye of mercy upon 
this thy servant, who most earnestly de- 
sireth pardon and forgiveness. Renew in 



42 THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 

him, most loving Father, whatsoever hath 
been decayed by the fraud and malice of 
the devil, or by his own carnal will and 
frailness; 'preserve and continue this sick 
member in the unity of the Church ; con- 
sider his contrition, accept his tears, 
assuage his pain, as shall seem to thee 
most expedient for him. And forasmuch 
as he putteth his full trust only in thy 
mercy, impute not unto him his former 
sins, but strengthen him with thy blessed 
Spirit; and, when thou art pleased to 
take him hence, take him unto thy fa- 
vour; through the merits of thy most 
dearly beloved Son, Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

1J Then shall the Minister say this Psalm. 

PSALM 130. De Profnndis. 
Out of the deep have I called unto 
thee, O Lord : Lord, hear my voice. 

let thine ears consider well : the 
voice of my complaint. 

If thou, Lord, wilt be extreme to mark 
what is done amiss : O Lord, who may 
abide it? 

For there is mercy with thee : therefore 
shalt thou be feared. 

1 look for the Lord ; my soul doth wait 
for him : in his word is my trust. 

My soul fleeth unto the Lord : before 
the morning watch, I say, before the 
morning watch. 

O Israel, trust in the Lord; for with 
the Lord there is mercy : and with him is 
plenteous redemption. 

And he shall redeem Israel : from all 
his sins. 

"\\ Adding this. 

O Saviour of the world, who by thy 
Cross and precious Blood hast redeemed 
us; Save us, and help us, we humbly 
beseech thee, O Lord. 

If Then shall the Minister say, 

The Almighty Lord, who is a most 
strong tower to all those who put their 



THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 43 

trust in him, to whom all things in 
heaven, in earth, and under the earth, do 
bow and obey, Be now and evermore thy 
defence; and make thee know and feel, 
that there is none other Name under 
heaven given to man, in whom, and 
through whom, thou mayest receive health 
and salvation, but only the Name of our 
Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. 

*[ Here the Minister may use any part of the service of 
this Book, which, in his discretion, he shall think 
convenient to the occasion ; and after that shall say, 

Unto God's gracious mercy and pro- 
tection we commit thee. The Lord bless 
thee, and keep thee. The Lord make his 
face to shine upon thee, and be gracious 
unto thee. The Lord lift up his counte- 
nance upon thee, and give thee peace, 
both now and evermore. Amen. 

Prayers wJiicJi may be said with the fore- 
going Service, or any part thereof, at 
the discretion of the Minister. 

A Prayer for a sick Child. 
O Almighty God, and merciful Father, 
to whom alone belong the issues of life 
and death; Look down from heaven, we 
humbly beseech thee, with the eyes of 
mere}-, upon this child now lying upon 
the bed of sickness: Visit him, O Lord, 
with thy salvation ; deliver him in thy 
good appointed time from his bodily pain, 
and save his soul for thy mercies' sake: 
that, if it shall be thy pleasure to prolong 
his days here on earth, he may live to 
thee, and be an instrument of thy glory, 
by serving thee faithfully, and doing good 
in his generation ; or else receive him into 
those heavenly habitations, where the 
souls of those who sleep in the Lord Jesus 
enjoy perpetual rest and felicity. Grant 
this, O Lord, for thy mercies' sake in the 
same thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ, who 
liveth and reigneth with thee and the 
Holy Ghost ever, one God, world without 
end. Amen. 



44 THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 

A Prayer for a sick Person, when there 
appeareth but small hope of recovery . 

O Father of mercies, and God of all 
comfort, our only help in time of need ; 
We fly unto thee for succour in behalf of 
this thy servant, here lying under thy hand 
in* great weakness of body. Look gra- 
ciously upon him, O Lord; and the more 
the outward man decayeth, strengthen 
him, we beseech thee, so much the more 
continually with thy grace and Holy Spirit 
in the inner man. Give him unfeigned 
repentance for all the errors of his life 
past, and stedfast faith in thy Son Jesus ; 
that his sins may be done away by thy 
mercy, and his pardon sealed in heaven, 
before he go hence, and be no more seen. 
We know, O Lord, that there is no word 
impossible with thee ; and that, if thou 
wilt, thou canst even yet raise him up, 
and grant him a longer continuance 
amongst us ; yet, forasmuch as in all 
appearance the time of his dissolution 
draweth near, so fit and prepare him, we 
beseech thee, against the hour of death, 
that after his departure hence in peace, 
and in thy favour, his soul may be re- 
ceived into thine everlasting kingdom ; 
through the merits and mediation of 
Jesus Christ thine only Son, our Lord and 
Saviour. Amen. 

A Commendatory Prayer for a sick Person 
at the point of departure . 
O Almighty God, with whom do live 
the spirits of just men made perfect, after 
they are delivered from their earthly 
prisons ; We humbly commend the soul 
of this thy servant, our dear brother, into 
thy hands, as into the hands of a faithful 
Creator, and most merciful Saviour; most 
humbly beseeching thee, that it may be 
precious in thy sight. Wash it, we pray 
thee, in the blood of that immaculate 
Lamb, that was slain to take away the 
sins of the world ; that whatsoever defile- 



THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 45 

ments it may have contracted in the midst 
of this miserable and naughty world, 
through the lusts of the flesh, or the wiles 
of Satan, being purged and done away, 
it may be presented pure and without 
spot before thee ; through the merits of 
Jesus Christ thine only Son our Lord. 
Amen. 

A Prayer for Persons troubled in mind or 
in conscience. 

Blessed Lord, the Father of mercies, 
and the God of all comfort ; We beseech 
thee, look down in pity and compassion 
upon this thy afflicted servant. Thou 
writest bitter things against him, and 
makest him to possess his former iniqui- 
ties ; thy wrath lieth hard upon him, and 
his soul is full of trouble. But, O merci- 
ful God, who hast written thy holy Word 
for our learning, that we, through patience 
and comfort of thy holy Scriptures, might 
have hope ; give him a right understand- 
ing of himself, and of thy threats and 
promises ; that he may neither cast away 
his confidence in thee, nor place it any 
where but in thee. Give him strength 
against all his temptations, and heal all 
his distempers. Break not the bruised 
reed, nor quench the smoking flax. Shut 
not up thy tender mercies in displeasure ; 
but make him to hear of joy and gladness, 
that the bones which thou hast broken 
may rejoice. Deliver him from fear of 
the enemy, and lift up the light of thy 
countenance upon him, and give him 
peace, through the merits and mediation 
of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

A Prayer which may be said by the 
Minister in belialf of all present at the 
Visitation. 

O God, whose days are without end, 
and whose mercies cannot be numbered; 
Make us, we beseech thee, deeply sensi- 
ble of the shortness and uncertainty of 



46 THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 

human life ; and let thy Holy Spirit lead 
us through this vale of misery, in holiness 
and righteousness, all the days of our 
lives : that, when we shall have served 
thee in our generation, we may be gath- 
ered unto our fathers, having the testi- 
mony of a good conscience ; in the com- 
munion of the catholic Church ; in the 
confidence of a certain faith ; in the com- 
fort of a reasonable, religious, and holy 
hope; in favor with thee our God, and in 
perfect charity with the world. All which 
we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

A Prayer which may be said in case of 
sudden surprise and immediate danger. 

O most gracious Father, we fly unto 
thee for mercy in behalf of this thy ser- 
vant, here lying under the sudden visit- 
ation of thine hand. If it be thy will, 
preserve his life, that there may be place 
for repentance ; but if thou hast otherwise 
appointed, let thy mercy supply to him 
the want of the usual opportunity for the 
trimming of his lamp. Stir up in him 
such sorrow for sin, and such fervent love 
to thee, as may in a short time do the 
work of many days : that among the 
praises which thy saints and holy angels 
shall sing to the honour of thy mercy 
through eternal ages, it may be to thy 
unspeakable glory, that thou hast re- 
deemed the soul of this thy servant from 
eternal death, and made him partaker of 
the everlasting life, which is through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

A Thanksgiving for the beginning of a 
Recovery . 

Great and mighty God, who bringest 
down to the grave, and bringest up again; 
We bless thy wonderful goodness, for 
having turned our heaviness into joy and 
our mourning into gladness, by restoring 
this our brother to some degree of his 



THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 47 

former health. Blessed be thy Name that 
thou didst not forsake him in his sickness ; 
but didst visit him with comforts from 
above ; didst support him in patience and 
submission to thy will ; and at last didst 
send him seasonable relief. Perfect, we 
beseech thee, this thy mercy towards him; 
and prosper the means which shall be 
made use of for his cure: that, being re- 
stored to health of body, vigour of mind, 
and cheerfulness of spirit, he may be able 
to go to thine house, to offer thee an ob- 
lation with great gladness, and to bless 
thy holy Name for all thy goodness to- 
wards him; through Jesus Christ our 
Saviour, to whom, with thee and the 
Holy Spirit, be all honour and glory, 
world without end. Amen. 



The Communion of the Sick. 



%\ Forasmuch as all mortal men are subject to many 
sudden perils, diseases, and sicknesses, and ever 
uncertain what time they shall depart out of this 
life ; therefore, to the intent they may be ahvays in 
readiness to die, whensoever it shall please Almighty 
God to call them, the Ministers shall diligently from 
time to time (but especially in the time of pestilence, 
or other infectious sickness) exhort their parishioners 
to the often receiving of the Holy Communion of the 
Body and Blood of our Saviour Christ, when it shall 
be publicly administered in the Church ; that so 
doing, they may, in case of sudden visitation, have 
the less cause to be disquieted for lack of the same. 
But if the sick person be not able to come to the 
Church, and yet is desirous to receive the Communion 
in his house ; then he must give timely notice to the 
Minister, signifying also how many there are to 
communicate with him, (which shall be two at the 
least, -J and all things necessary being prepared, the 
Minister shall there celebrate the Holy Communion, 
begiu/iiug with the Collect, Epistle, and Gospel, here 
following 

The Collect. 

Almighty, everliving God, Maker of 
mankind, who dost correct those whom 
thou dost love, and chastise every one 



48 THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 

whom thou dost receive ; We beseech 
thee to have mercy upon this thy servant 
visited with thine hand, and to grant that 
he may take his sickness patiently, and 
recover his bodily health, if it be thy 
gracious will ; and that, whensoever his 
soul shall depart from the body, it may be 
without spot presented unto thee ; through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

The Epistle. Heb. xii. 5. 

My son, despise not thou the chasten- 
ing of the Lord, nor faint when thou art 
rebuked of him : for whom the Lord 
loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every 
son whom he receiveth. 

The Gospel. St. John v. 24. 

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that 
heareth my word, and believeth on him 
that sent me, hath everlasting life, and 
shall not come into condemnation ; but is 
passed from death unto life. 

^f After which the Minister shall proceed according to 
the form before prescribed for the Holy Communion, 
beginning at these words, Ye who do truly, etc. 

*\\ At the time of the distribution of the holy Sacra- 
ment, the Minister shall first receive the Communion 
himself, and after minister unto those who are ap- 
pointed to communicate with the sick, and last of 
all to the sick person. 

\ In the times of contagious sickness or disease, or 
when extreme weakness renders it expedient, the fol- 
lotving form shall suffice : The Confession and the 
Absolution ; Lift up your hearts, etc., through the 
Sanctus : The Prayer of Consecration, ending with 
these words, partakers of his most blessed Body 
and Blood ; The Communion ; The Lord's Prayer ; 
The Blessing. 

^[ But if a man, either by reason of extremity of sick- 
ness, or for want of warning in due time to the 
Minister, or for lack of company to receive with 
him, or by any other just impediment, do not receive 
the Sacrament of Christ's Body and Blood, the 
Minister shall instruct him, that if he do truly 
repent him of his sins, and stedfastly believe that 
Jesus Christ hath suffered death upon the Cross for 
him, and shed his Blood for his redemption, earnestly 
remembering the benefits he hath thereby, and giving 
him hearty thanks therefor, he doth eat and drink the 
Body and Blood of our Saviour Christ profitably to 
his soul's health, although he do not receive the 
Sacrament with his mouth. 



THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 49 

^f When the sick person is visited, and receiveth the 
Holy Communion all at one time, then the Minister, 
for more expedition, shall cut off the form of the 
Visitation at the Psalm, and go straight to the 
Communion. 

% In the times of contagious sickness or disease, when 
none of the Parish or neighbours can be gotten to com- 
municate with the sick in their houses, for fear of the 
infection, ution special request of the diseased, the 
Minister alone may communicate with him. 

*\ This Office may be used with aged and bed-ridden 
persons, or such as are not able to attend the public 
Ministration in Church, substituting- the Collect, 
Epistle, and Gospel for the Day, for those appointed 
above. 

^J Then shall the Priest say to those who come to re- 
ceive the Holy Communion, 

Ye who do truly and earnestly repent 
you of your sins, and are in love and 
charity with your neighbours, and intend 
to lead a new life, following the com- 
mandments of God, and walking from 
henceforth in his holy ways ; Draw near 
with faith, and take this holy Sacrament 
to your comfort; and make your humble 
confession to Almighty God, devoutly 
kneeling. 

^f Then shall this General Confession be made, by the 
Priest and all those who are minded to receive the 
Holy Communion, humbly kneeling. 

Almighty God, Father of our Lord 
Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, Judge 
of all men ; We acknowledge and bewail 
our manifold sins and wickedness, Which 
we, from time to time, most grievously 
have committed, By thought, word, and 
deed, Against thy Divine Majesty, Pro- 
voking most justly thy wrath and indig- 
nation against us. We do earnestly re- 
pent, And are heartily sorry for these our 
misdoings ; The remembrance of them is 
grievous unto us ; The burden of them is 
intolerable. Have mercy upon us, Have 
mercy upon us, most merciful Father; 
For thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ's sake, 
Forgive us all that is past ; And grant 
that we may ever hereafter Serve and 
please thee In newness of life, To the 



50 THE RITES OF THE CHURCH, 

honour and glory of thy Name ; Through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

*[[ Then shall the Priest (the Bishop if he be present) 
stand up, and turning to the People, say, 

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, 
who of his great mercy hath promised 
forgiveness of sins to all those who with 
hearty repentance and true faith turn unto 
him ; Have mercy upon you ; pardon and 
deliver you from all your sins ; confirm 
and strengthen you in all goodness ; and 
bring you to everlasting life ; through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

^[ Then shall the Priest say, 

Hear what comfortable words our 
Saviour Christ saith unto all who truly 
turn to him. 

Come unto me, all ye that travail and 
are heavy laden, and I will refresh you. 
St. Matt. xi. 28. 

So God loved the world, that he gave 
his only-begotten Son, to the end that all 
that believe in him should not perish, but 
have everlasting life. St. John iii. 16. 

Hear also what Saint Paul saith. 

This is a true saying, and worthy of all 
men to be received, that Christ Jesus 
came into the world to save sinners. 
1 Tim . i . 15. 

Hear also what Saint John saith. 

If any man sin, we have an Advocate 
with the Father, Jesus Christ the right- 
eous ; and he is the Propitiation for our 
sins. 1 St. John ii. 1, 2. 

*\\ After which the Priest shall proceed, saying, 

Lift up your hearts. 
Answer. We lift them up unto the Lord. 
Priest. Let us give thanks unto our 

Lord God. 
Answer. It is meet and right so to do. 

*l Then shall the Priest turn to the Lord's Table, and 
say, 



THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 51 



* These words 



It is very meet, right, and 
our bounden duty, that we 

... . . "J nese wuru 

should at all times, and in [Holy Father, 
all places, give thanks unto must be omitted 
thee, O Lord, [ * Holy ^Trinity-Sun- 
Father,] Almighty, Ever- 
lasting God. 

^f Here shall follow the Proper Preface, according 
to the time, if there be any specially appointed ; or 
else immediately shall be said or sung by the Priest, 

Therefore with Angels and Archangels, 
and with all the company of heaven, we 
laud and magnify thy glorious Name ; 
evermore praising thee, and saying, 

HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, T Priest and 

Lord God of hosts, Heaven People. 

and earth are full of thy glory : Glory be 

to thee, O Lord Most High. Amen. 

PROPER PREFACES. 
Upon Christmas-day, and seven days after. 

Because thou didst give Jesus Christ, 
thine only Son, to be born as at this time 
for us; who, by the operation of the Holy 
Ghost, was made very man, of the sub- 
stance of the Virgin Mary his mother ; 
and that without spot of sin, to make 
us clean from all sin. Therefore with 
Angels, etc. 

Upon Easter-day, and seven days after. 

But chiefly are we bound to praise thee 
for the glorious Resurrection of thy Son 
Jesus Christ our Lord : for he is the very 
Paschal Lamb, which was offered for us, 
and hath taken away the sin of the world ; 
who by his death hath destroyed death, 
and by his rising to life again hath re- 
stored to us everlasting life. Therefore 
with Angels, etc. 

Upon Ascension-day, and seven days after. 

Through thy most dearly beloved Son 
Jesus Christ our Lord; who, after his 



52 THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 

most glorious Resurrection, manifestly 
appeared to all his Apostles, and in their 
sight ascended up into heaven, to prepare 
a place for us; that where he is, thither 
we might also ascend, and reign with him 
in glory. Therefore with Angels, etc. 

Upon Whitsunday, and six days after. 

Through Jesus Christ our Lord ; ac- 
cording to whose most true promise, the 
Holy Ghost came down as at this time 
from heaven, with a sudden great sound, 
as it had been a mighty wind, in the like- 
ness of fiery tongues, lighting upon the 
Apostles, to teach them, and to lead them 
to all truth ; giving them both the gift of 
divers languages, and also boldness with 
fervent zeal constantly to preach the Gos- 
pel unto all nations ; whereby we have 
been brought out of darkness and error 
into the clear light and true knowledge of 
thee, and of thy Son Jesus Christ. There- 
fore with Angels, etc. 

Upon the Feast of Trinity only \ may be 
said, 
Who art one God, one Lord; not one 
only Person, but three Persons in one 
Substance. For that which we believe of 
the glory of the Father, the same we be- 
lieve of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, 
without any difference or inequality. 
Therefore with Angels, etc. 

Tj Or else this may be said, the words [Holy Father] 
being retained in the introductory address. 

For the precious death and merits of 
thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, and for 
the sending to us of the Holy Ghost, the 
Comforter ; who are one with thee in 
thy Eternal Godhead. Therefore with 
Angels, etc. 

"IJ llien shall the Priest, kneeling down at the Lord's 
Table, say, in the name of all those who shall receive 
the Communion, this Prayer following. 

We do not presume to come to this thy 
Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our 
own righteousness, but in thy manifold 



THE RITES OF THE CHL'KCH. 



53 



and great mercies. We are not worthy 
so much as to gather up the crumbs under 
thy Table. But thou art the same Lord, 
whose property is always to have mercy: 
Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to 
eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, 
and to drink his blood, that our sinful 
bodies may be made clean by his body, 
and our souls washed through his most 
precious blood, and that we may ever- 
more dwell in him, and he in us. Amen. 

r \ When the Priest, standing before the Table, hath so 
ordered the Bread and I Fine, that he may with the 
more readiness and decency break the Bread before the 
People, and take the Cup into his hands, he shall say 
the Prayer of Consecration, as followeth. 

All glory be to thee, Almighty God, 
our heavenly Father, for that thou, of thy 
tender mercy, didst give thine only Son 
Jesus Christ to suffer death upon the Cross 
for our redemption; who made there (by 
his one oblation of himself once offered) a 
full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, ob- 
lation, and satisfaction, for the sins of the 
whole world; and did institute, and in his 
holy Gospel command us to continue, a 



us 

perpetual memory of that 
death and sacrifice, until 
again : For in the night in 
which he was betrayed, (a) 
he took Bread ; and when 
he had given thanks, (b) he 
brake it, and gave it to his 
disciples, saying, Take, eat, 
(c) this is my Body, which 
is given for you ; Do this in 
remembrance of me. Like- 
wise, after supper, (d) he 
took the Cup ; and when he 
had given thanks, he gave 
it to them, saying, Drink ye 
all of this ; for (e) this is my 
Blood of the New Testa- 
ment, which is shed for you, 
and for many, for the re- 
mission of sins; Do this, as 
oft as ye shall drink it, in 
remembrance of me. 



his precious 
his coming 



(a) Here the 
Priest is to take 
the Paten into 
his hands. 

(b) And here 
to break the 
Bread. 

(c) And here 
to lay his hand 
upon all the 
Bread. 

(d) Her 
is to take 
Cup into 
hands. 

(e) And here 
he is to lay his 
hand upon every 
vessel in which 
there is any II '///,■ 
to be consecrated. 



he 
the 
his 



54 THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 

Wherefore, O Lord and 
heavenly Father, according 
to the institution of thy dearly beloved 
Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, we, thy 
humble servants, do celebrate and make 
here before thy Divine Majesty, with these 
thy holy gifts, which we now offer unto 
thee, the memorial thy Son hath com- 
manded us to make ; having in remem- 
brance his blessed passion and precious 
death, his mighty resurrection and glori- 
ous ascension ; rendering unto thee most 
hearty thanks for the innumerable benefits 
procured unto us by the same. 

And we most humbly 

u u i-u r\ •£ i The Invocation. 

beseech thee, (J merciful 
Father, to hear us ; and, of thy almighty 
goodness, vouchsafe to bless and sanctify, 
with thy Word and Holy Spirit, these thy 
gifts and creatures of bread and wine ; 
that we, receiving them according to thy 
Son our Saviour Jesus Christ's holy insti- 
tution, in remembrance of his death and 
passion, may be partakers of his most 
blessed Body and Blood. 

And we earnestly desire thy fatherly 
goodness, mercifully to accept this our 
sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving; most 
humbly beseeching thee to grant that, by 
the merits and death of thy Son Jesus 
Christ, and through faith in his blood, 
we, and all thy whole Church, may ob- 
tain remission of our sins, and all other 
benefits of his passion. And here we 
offer and present unto thee, O Lord, our 
selves, our souls and bodies, to be a 
reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice unto 
thee; humbly beseeching thee, that we, 
and all others who shall be partakers of 
this Holy Communion, may worthily re- 
ceive the most precious Body and Blood 
of thy Son Jesus Christ, be filled with thy 
grace and heavenly benediction, and made 
one body with him, that he may dwell in 



THE RITES OF THE CHl'RCH. 55 

us, and we in him. And although we are 
unworthy, through our manifold sins, to 
offer unto thee any sacrifice ; yet we be- 
seech thee to accept this our bounden 
duty and service ; not weighing our mer- 
its, but pardoning our offences, through 
Jesus Christ our Lord; by whom, and 
with whom, in the unity of the Holy 
Ghost, all honour and glory be unto thee, 
O Father Almighty, world without end. 
Amen . 

r Here may be sung a Hymn. 

*[ The* shall the Priest first receive the Holy Com- 
munion in both kinds himself, and proceed to deliver 
the same to the Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, in like 
manner, (if any be present,) and, after that, to the 
People also in order, into their hands, all devoutly 
kneeling. And sufficient opportunity shall be given 
to those present to communicate. And token he 
delivereth the Bread, he shall say, 

The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
which was given for thee, preserve thy 
bod\- and soul unto everlasting life. Take 
and eat this in remembrance that Christ 
died for thee, and feed on him in thy 
heart by faith, with thanksgiving. 

*] And the Minister who delivereth the Cup shall say. 

The Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
which was shed for thee, preserve thy 
body and soul unto everlasting life. 
Drink this in remembrance that Christ's 
Blood was shed for thee, and be thankful. 

m ] If the consecrated Bread or Wine be spent before all 
have communicated, the Priest is to consecrate more , 
according to the Form before prescribed ; beginning 
at, All glory be to thee, Almighty God, and ending 
with these words, partakers of his most blessed 
Body and Blood. 

•[ When all have communicated, the Minister shall 
return to the Lord's Table, and reverently place 
upon it what remaineth of the consecrated Elements, 
covering the same with a fair linen cloth. 

m ~ Then shall the Minister say the Lord's Prayer, tin- 
People repeating after him every Petition. 

Our Father, who art in heaven, Hal- 
lowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom 
come. Thy will be done on earth, As it 
is in heaven. Give us this day our daily 



56 THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 

bread. And forgive us our trespasses, 
as we forgive those who trespass against 
us. And lead us not into temptation; 
But deliver us from evil : For thine is the 
kingdom, and the power, and the glory, 
for ever and ever. Amen. 

^j" After shall be said as followeth. 

Almighty and everliving God, we most 
heartily thank thee, for that thou dost 
vouchsafe to feed us who have duly re- 
ceived these holy mysteries, with the 
spiritual food of the most precious fiody 
and Blood of thy Son our Saviour Jesus 
Christ ; and dost assure us thereby of thy 
favour and goodness towards us ; and that 
we are very members incorporate in the 
mystical body of thy Son, which is the 
blessed company of all faithful people; 
and are also heirs through hope of thy 
everlasting kingdom, by the merits of the 
most precious death and passion of thy 
dear Son. And we most humbly beseech 
thee, O heavenly Father, so to assist us 
with thy grace, that we may continue in 
that holy fellowship, and do all such good 
works as thou hast prepared for us to walk 
in; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to 
whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be 
all honour and glory, world without end. 
Amen. 

*[ Then shall be said or sung, all standing, Gloria in 
excelsis ; or some proper Hymn from the Selection. 

Glory be to God on high, and on earth 
peace, good will towards men. We praise 
thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we 
glorify thee, we give thanks to thee for 
thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly 
King, God the Father Almighty. 

O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus 
Christ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son 
of the Father, that takest away the sins of 
the world, have mercy upon us. Thou 
that takest away the sins of the world, 
have mercy upon us. Thou that takest 



THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 57 

away the sins of the world, receive our 
prayer. Thou that sittest at the right 
hand of God the Father, have mercy 
upon us. 

For thou only art holy ; thou only art 
the Lord; thou only, O Christ, with the 
Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of 
God the Father. Amen. 

«[ Then the Priest (the Bishop if he be present) shall 
let them depart with this Blessing. 

The Peace of God, which passeth all 
understanding, keep your hearts and 
minds in the knowledge and love of God, 
and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord: 
And the Blessing of God Almighty, the 
Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be 
amongst you, and remain with you always. 
Amen 



Scripture Readings with the Sick. 

Confession of Sin. 

Have mercy upon me, O God, after 
thy great goodness ; according to the 
multitude of thy mercies do away mine 
offences. 

Wash me throughly from my wicked- 
ness, and cleanse me from my sin; 

For I acknowledge my faults, and my 
sin is ever before me. 

Turn thy face from my sins, and put 
out all my misdeeds. 

Make me a clean heart, O God, and 
renew a right spirit within me. 

Cast me not away from thy presence, 
and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. 

O give me the comfort of thy help 
again, and stablish me with thy free 
Spirit. 

Try me, O God, and seek the ground 
of my heart; prove me, and examine my 
thoughts. 



58 THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 

Look well if there be any way of wick- 
edness in me ; and lead me in the way 
everlasting. 

I will arise, and go to my father, and 
will say unto him, Father, I have sinned 
against heaven, and before thee, and am 
no more worthy to be called thy son. 

The publican, standing afar off, would 
not lift up so much as his eyes unto 
heaven, but smote upon his breast, say- 
ing, God be merciful to me a sinner. 

Thanksgiving . 

I will alway give thanks unto the Lord ; 
his praise shall ever be in my mouth. 

My soul shall make her boast in the 
Lord ; the humble shall hear thereof, and 
be glad. 

praise the Lord with me, and let us 
magnify his Name together. 

1 sought the Lord, and he heard me; 
yea, he delivered me out of alj my fear. 

They had an eye unto him, and were 
lightened ; and their faces were not 
ashamed. 

Lo, the poor crieth, and the Lord hear- 
eth him ; yea, and saveth him out of all 
his troubles. 

The angel of the Lord tarrieth round 
about them that fear him, and delivereth 
them. 

taste, and see, how gracious the 
Lord is : blessed is the man that trusteth 
in him. 

fear the Lord, ye that are his saints; 
for they that fear him lack nothing. 

The lions do lack, and suffer hunger; 
but they who seek the Lord shall want no 
manner of thing that is good. 

The Love of God. 

1 will mention the loving-kindnesses of 
the Lord, and the praises of the Lord, 
according to all that the Lord hath be- 
stowed on us, and the great goodness 



THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 59 

toward the house of Israel, which he hath 
bestowed on them according to the multi- 
tude of his loving-kindnesses. 

For he said, Surely they are my people, 
children that will not lie: so he was their 
Saviour. 

In all their affliction he was afflicted, 
and the Angel of his presence saved them : 
in his love and in his pity he redeemed 
them; and he bare them, and carried 
them all the days of old. 

I love them that love me; and those 
that seek me early shall find me. 

He brought me to the banqueting 
house, and his banner over me was love. 

I drew them with cords of a man, with 
bands of love. 

The Lord hath appeared of old -unto 
me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with 
an everlasting love : therefore with lov- 
ing-kindness have I drawn thee. 

Behold what manner of love the Father 
hath bestowed upon us, that we should be 
called the sons of God : therefore the 
world knoweth us not, because it knew 
him not. 

God so loved the world, that he gave 
his only-begotten Son, that whosoever 
believeth in him should not perish, but 
have everlasting life. 

For scarcely for a righteous man will 
one die : yet peradventure for a good 
man some would even dare to die. . 

But God commendeth his love toward 
us, in that, while we were yet sinners, 
Christ died for us. 

Hereby perceive we the love of God, 
because he laid down his life for us. 

Herein is love, not that we loved God, 
but that he loved us. We have known 
and believed the love that God hath to us. 
God is love ; and he that dwelleth in love 
dwelleth in God, and God in him. We 
love him, because he first loved us. 

I am crucified with Christ : neverthe- 
less I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in 



60 THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 

me : and the life which I now live in the 
flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, 
who loved me, and gave himself for me. 

The Mercy and Forgiveness of God. 

I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, 
thy transgressions, and as a cloud, thy 
sins : return unto me ; for I have re- 
deemed thee. 

Come now, and let us reason together, 
saith the Lord, though your sins be as 
scarlet, they shall be as white as snow ; 
though they be red like crimson, they 
shall be as wool. 

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow 
to anger, and plenteous in mercy. 

He will not always chide : neither will 
he keep his anger for ever. 

He hath not dealt with us after our 
sins ; nor rewarded us according to our 
iniquities. 

For as the heaven is high above the 
earth, so great is his mercy toward them 
that fear him 

As far as the east is from the west, so 
far hath he removed our transgressions 
from us. 

Like as a father pitieth his children, so 
the Lord pitieth them that fear him. 

As for our transgressions, thou shalt 
purge them away. 

The Lord is long-suffering to us-ward, 
not willing that any should perish, but 
that all should come to repentance. 

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and 
just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse 
us from all unrighteousness. 

Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving 
iniquity, and transgression, and sin. 

Their sins and iniquities will I remem- 
ber no more. 

Blessed is he whose unrighteousness 
is forgiven, and whose sin is covered. 
Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord 
imputeth no sin, and in whose spirit 
there is no guile. 



THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 61 

He retaineth not his anger for ever, 
because he delighteth in mercy. He will 
turn again, he will have compassion upon 
us; he will subdue our iniquities; and 
thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths 
of the sea. 

Let the wicked forsake his way, and 
the unrighteous man his thoughts, and let 
him return unto the Lord, and he will 
have mercy upon him; and to our God, 
for he will abundantly pardon. 

Who crowneth thee with loving-kind- 
ness and tender mercies. 

// is of the Lord's mercies that we are 
not consumed, because his compassions 
fail not. 

They are new every morning ; great is 
thy faithfulness. 

The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; 
therefore will I hope in him. 

The Lord is good unto them that wait 
for him, to the soul that seeketh him. 

// is good that a man should both hope 
and quietly wait for the salvation of the 
Lord. 

The Lord will not cast off for ever : 

But though he cause grief, yet will he 
have compassion according to the multi- 
tude of his mercies. 

For he doth not afflict willingly, nor 
grieve the children of men. 

Salvation through Faith. 

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and 
thou shalt be saved, and thy house. 

Behold, I lay in Sion a stumbling-stone, 
and rock of offence ; and whosoever be- 
lieveth on him shall not be ashamed. 

I am come a light into the world, that 
whosoever believeth on me should not 
abide in darkness. 

Thy faith hath saved thee, go in peace. 

To him give all the prophets witness, 
that, through his name, whosoever be- 
lieveth on him shall receive remission of 
sins. 



62 THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 

The Scripture hath concluded all under 
sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus 
Christ might be given to them that 
believe. 

As Moses lifted up the serpent in the 
wilderness, even so must the Son of man 
be lifted up : 

That whosoever believeth in him should 
not perish, but have eternal life. 

By grace are ye saved through faith ; 
and that not of yourselves : it is the 
gift of God. 

God sent not his Son into the world to 
condemn the world ; but that the world 
through him might be saved. 

He that believeth on him is not con- 
demned : but he that believeth not is con- 
demned already, because he hath not be- 
lieved in the name of the only begotten 
Son of God. 

Now faith is the substance of things 
hoped for, the evidence of things not 
seen. 

We trust in the living God, who is the 
Saviour of all men, especially of those 
that believe. 

Blessed are they that have not seen, 
and yet have believed. 

But without faith it is impossible to 
please him : for he that cometh to God 
must believe that he is, and that he is a 
rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 

Now the just shall live by faith : but if 
any man draw back, my soul shall have 
no pleasure in him. 

But we are not of them who draw back 
unto perdition ; but of them that believe 
to the saving of the soul. 

Whatsoever is born of God overcometh 
the world : and this is the victory that 
overcometh the world, even our faith. 

With the heart man believeth unto 
righteousness ; and with the mouth con- 
fession is made unto salvation. 

For the scripture saith, Whosoever be- 
lieveth on him shall not be ashamed. 



THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 63 

The Faithfulness of God. 

Know therefore that the Lord thy God, 
he is God, the faithful God, which keep- 
eth covenant and mercy with them that 
love him and keep his commandments to 
a thousand generations. 

Behold this day I am going the way of 
all the earth : and ye know in all your 
hearts and in all your souls, that not one 
thing hath failed of all the good things 
which the Lord your God spake concern- 
ing you; all are come to pass unto you, 
and not one thing hath failed thereof. 

God is not a man, that he should lie: 
neither the son of man, that he should 
repent: hath he said, and shall he not do 
it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not 
make it good? 

My covenant will I not break, nor alter 
the thing that is gone out of my lips. 

He hath been alway mindful of his 
covenant and promise, that he made to a 
thousand generations. 

Thy mercy, O Lord, reacheth unto the 
heavens, and thy faithfulness unto the 
clouds. 

O Lord, thou art my God; I will exalt 
thee, I will praise thy name; for thou 
hast done wonderful tilings ; thy counsels 
of old are faithfulness and truth. 

He is faithful that promised. 

Encouragements to Prayer. 

Call upon me in the time of trouble; so 
will I hear thee, and thou shalt praise 
me. 

The Lord is nigh unto all them that 
call upon him ; yea, all such as call upon 
him faithfully. 

He will fulfil the desire of them that 
fear him ; he also will hear their cry, and 
will help them. 

It shall come to pass, that before they 
call, I will answer; and while they are 
yet speaking, I will hear. 



64 THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 

Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall 
answer: thou shalt cry, and he shall say, 
Here I am. 

They shall call on my name, and I will 
hear them: I will say, It is my people; 
and they shall say the Lord is my God. 

Ask, and it shall be given you ; seek, 
and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be 
opened unto you : 

For every one that asketh receiveth ; 
and he that seeketh findeth ; and to him 
that knocketh it shall be opened. 

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask 
in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. 

Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, 
that will I do, that the Father may be 
glorified in the Son. 

If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I 
will do it. 

If ye abide in me, and my words abide 
in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it 
shall be done unto you. 

The effectual fervent prayer of a right- 
eous man availeth much. 

Whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, 
because we keep his commandments, and 
do those things that are pleasing in his 
sight. 

The Benefits of Affliction. 

Happy is the man whom God correct- 
eth ; therefore despise not thou the 
chastening of the Almighty. For he 
maketh sore, and bindeth up; he wound- 
eth, and his hands make whole. 

Blessed is the man whom thou chasten- 
est, O Lord, and teachest him out of thy 
law ; that thou mayest give him rest from 
the days of adversity, until the pit be 
digged for the wicked. 

Before I was afflicted I went astray ; 
but now have I kept thy word. It is 
good for me that I have been afflicted, 
that I might learn thy statutes. I know, 
O Lord, thy judgments are right, and 
that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. 



THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 65 

Whom the Lord loveth he correcteth, 
even as a father the son in whom he 
delighteth. 

Our light affliction, which is but for a 
moment, worketh for us a far more ex- 
ceeding and eternal weight of glory, while 
we look not at the things which are seen, 
but at the things which are not seen ; for 
the things which are seen are temporal, 
but the things which are not seen are 
eternal. 

It is good for me that I have been 
afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. 

God is our refuge and strength, a very 
present help in trouble. Therefore will 
we not fear, though the earth be removed, 
and though the mountains be carried into 
the midst of the sea. Though the waters 
thereof roar, and be troubled; though the 
mountains shake with the swelling thereof. 

Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he 
shall sustain thee : he shall never suffer 
the righteous to be moved. 

I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy : 
for thou hast considered my trouble ; 
thou hast known my soul in adversities. 

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, 
thou wilt revive me ; thou shalt stretch 
forth thine hand against the wrath of mine 
enemies, and thy right hand shall save 
me. 

My flesh and heart faileth ; but God is 
the strength of my heart. 

The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and 
raiseth up all that are bowed down. 

Thou hast been a strength to the poor, 
a strength to the needy in his distress, a 
refuge from the storm, a shadow from the 
heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is 
as a storm against the wall. 

He will not lay upon man more than is 
right, that he should enter into judgment 
with God. 

His anger endureth but a moment; in 
his favor is life : weeping may endure for 
a night, but joy cometh in the morning. 



66 THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 

Many are the afflictions of the right- 
eous ; but the Lord delivereth him out of 
them all. 

Patience. 

Be patient therefore, brethren, unto 
the coming of the Lord. Behold, the 
husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit 
of the earth, and hath long patience for 
it, until he receive the early and latter 
rain. 

Be ye also patient ; establish your 
hearts : for the coming of the Lord draw- 
eth nigh. 

Grudge not one against another, breth- 
ren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the 
judge standeth before the door. 

Take, my brethren, the prophets, who 
have spoken in the name of the Lord, for 
an example of suffering affliction, and of 
patience. 

Behold, we count them happy which 
endure. Ye have heard of the patience 
of Job, and have seen the end of the 
Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and 
of tender mercy. 

Cast not away therefore your confi- 
dence, which hath great recompense of 
reward. 

For ye have need of patience, that, 
after ye have done the will of God, ye 
might receive the promise. 

My brethren, count it all joy when ye 
fall into divers temptations ; 

Knowing this, that, the trying of your 
faith worketh patience. 

But let patience have her perfect work, 
that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting 
nothing. 

Watchfulness. 

Let your loins be girded about, and 
your lights burning ; 

And ye yourselves like unto men that 
wait for their lord, when he will return 
from the wedding ; that when he cometh 



THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 67 

and knocketh, they may open unto him 
immediately. 

Blessed are those servants, whom the 
lord when he cometh shall find watching: 
verily I say unto you, that he shall gird 
himself, and make them to sit down to 
meat, and will come forth and serve 
them. 

And if he shall come in the second 
watch, or come in the third watch, and 
find them so, blessed are those servants. 

And this know, that if the good man of 
the house had known what hour the thief 
would come, he would have watched, and 
not have suffered his house to be broken 
through. 

Be ye therefore ready also : for the Son 
of man cometh at an hour when ye think 
not. 

The Better Life. 

Let not your heart be troubled : ye be- 
lieve in God; believe also in me. In my 
Father's house are many mansions: if it 
were not so, I would have told you. I go 
to prepare a place for you. And if I go 
to prepare a place for you, I will come 
again, and receive you unto myself; that 
where I am, there ye may be also. 

Jesus Christ hath abolished death, and 
hath brought life and immortality to light 
through the Gospel. 

Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, 
neither have entered into the heart of 
man, the things which God hath prepared 
for them that love him. 

We know that if our earthly house of 
this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a 
building of God, an house not made with 
hands, eternal in the heavens. 

I know whom I have believed, and am 
persuaded that he is able to keep that 
which I have committed unto him against 
that day. 

Henceforth there is laid up for me a 
crown of righteousness, which the Lord, 



68 THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 

the righteous Judge, shall give me at that 
day: and not to me only, but unto all 
them also that love his appearing. 

For this God is our God, for ever and 
ever: he will be our guide, even unto 
death. 

God will redeem my soul from the 
power of the grave ; for he shall receive 
me. 

My flesh and my heart faileth ; but 
God is the strength of my heart, and my 
portion for ever. 

Into thy hands I commend my spirit: 
for thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, thou 
God of truth. 

The righteous shall shine forth as the 
sun in the kingdom of their Father. 

They that be wise shall shine as the 
brightness of the firmament; and they 
that turn many to righteousness, as the 
stars for ever and ever. 

He is able to present you faultless be- 
fore the presence of his glory, with ex- 
ceeding joy. 

And I saw no temple therein; for the, 
Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are 
the temple of it. 

And the city had no need of the sun, 
neither of the moon, to shine in it: for 
the glory of God did lighten it, and the 
Lamb is the light thereof. 

And God shall wipe away all tears from 
their eyes ; and there shall be no more 
death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither 
shall there be any more pain : for the 
former things are passed away. 

It is your Father's good pleasure to 
give you the kingdom. 

An entrance shall be ministered unto 
you abundantly into the everlasting 
kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus 
Christ. 

The Lord will preserve me unto his 
heavenly kingdom. 

The Lord shall be thine everlasting 
light, and the days of thy mourning shall 
be ended. 



THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 69 

Thou wilt show me the path of life ; in 
thy presence is fulness of joy, at thy right 
hand there are pleasures for evermore. 

As for me, I will behold thy face in 
righteousness : I shall be satisfied when I 
awake with thy likeness. 

With thee is the fountain of life : in thy 
light we shall see light. 

So shall we be ever with the Lord. 



Special Prayers for the Sick. 

For Submission. 

O God who art a very present help in 
every time of trouble ; Look with pity 
upon thy servant, visited by thy hand. 
Sanctify this sickness to his good, and 
help him to bear it with such submission, 
that he may be able to say out of a fervent 
heart, " Thy will be done." Give him a 
deep sense of thy mercy and a strong 
hold of thy promises. Let no cloud 
obscure thy peace from him and no 
temptation bring disquietude to his soul. 
This we ask through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

For the Holy Spirit. 

Merciful Father, who hast revealed thy- 
self to us through the Holy Spirit ; Grant 
the blessed presence of the divine Com- 
forter to thy sick servant, that he may 
have abundantly joy, peace and heavenly 
illumination. Enlarge his hopes and 
strengthen his faith, and may his sickness, 
through the blessed Spirit, bring him into 
closer communion with thyself, so that he 
may truly feel that it is good for him to 
be afflicted. Grant this, we beseech thee, 
for the sake of thy Son, our Saviour Jesus 
Christ. Amen. 



70 THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 

For Fellowship with Christ. 

Gracious and adorable Saviour, who 
didst suffer for us, and canst enter into 
sympathy with us in all our trials and 
sorrows ; Regard thine afflicted servant 
with the eyes of thy compassion. Draw 
tenderly near to him, that he may have 
fellowship with thee, and be filled with 
the assurance that thou lovest him and 
carest for him. May the thought of thy 
cross and passion sustain and comfort 
him. Daily may he learn of thee and 
know the preciousness of thy salvation. 
Be pleased to give him thy mind and 
conform him to thine image, that thou 
may est dwell in him and he in thee. 
These blessings we ask in thy Name, most 
merciful Saviour, to whom with the 
Father and the Holy Ghost, be all honor 
and glory, world without end. Amen. 

For Angelic Ministrations. 

Almighty and everlasting God, who 
succourest those that labour under perils 
and afflictions, we humbly beseech thy 
Majesty, that it may please thee to send 
thy holy angel to uphold with thy com- 
fort thy servant who is suffering distress 
and affliction ; that he may both receive 
thy present aid, and attain eternal heal- 
ing; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

For Recovery of Health. 

Regard, O Lord, thy sick servant with 
thy favour and compassion. If it be thy 
holy will speedily restore him to health, 
that he may praise thee for thy goodness 
and devote himself to thy service with 
renewed zeal, and make his life more 
fruitful in all good works to the glory of 
thy great Name ; through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 



THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 71 

For the Despondent. 

Merciful Father, we pray thee to de- 
liver thy sick servant from all impatience, 
and repining at thy chastisements, from 
dejection of spirit, and distrust of thy 
mercies, from the fear of death, and from 
such extremity of sickness, anguish, or 
agony, as may in any way withdraw his 
mind from thee; through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

For one in Great Pain. 

O gracious Father, whose dear Son 
bore for us unspeakable agonies, being 
scourged, and crowned with thorns, and 
nailed to the cross ; Have mere) 7 on thy 
servant who is now in great suffering, and 
grant him grace to fix his eyes upon the 
cross, and to find strength there to copy 
the example of him who, "for the joy 
that was set before him, endured the 
cross ; ' ' that following his divine Master 
through suffering, he may follow him to 
his eternal glory ; through the same thy 
Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

In Prolonged Illness. 

O God, who dost mercifully accept the 
offering of our weakness ; Give thy ser- 
vant grace to abide in communion with 
thee, that the lengthened season of sick- 
ness which hinders his work in the world 
may train him for the contemplation of 
thy glory in the life of the blessed ; 
through 7esus Christ our Saviour. Amen. 

Before a Surgical Operation. 

Grant, we beseech thee, O Lord, that 
this thy servant may have bodily strength 
so as not to sink under the pain which 
thou hast appointed for him to undergo, 
and also grace to receive that blessing 
which thou intendest by this pain to be- 



72 THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 

stow upon him; through Jesus Christ, 
who suffered for us upon the cross, who 
now liveth and reigneth with thee and the 
Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. 
Amen. 

For one about to make a Will. 

O Lord, who puttest into our hearts 
good desires, and hast inclined thy servant 
to set his house in order ; grant that he 
may do it with wisdom and piety ac- 
cording to the precepts of our holy re- 
ligion and the dictates of right reason, 
that so being freed from all earthly cares 
and anxieties he may be the better able 
before he go hence to set in order the 
inward house of his soul ; through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

For a Sick Person about to Communicate. 

O Holy Lord, Father Almighty, ever- 
lasting God, we entreat thee in faith that 
our brother, receiving the most holy Body 
and Blood of thy Son our Lord Jesus 
Christ, may enjoy health both in body 
and soul ; through the same Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen, 

Where there is no hope of Recovery . 

Almighty God, we beseech thee to look 
with compassion upon this thy sick ser- 
vant, and let thy good Spirit work in him 
whatsoever thou seest wanting, to prepare 
him for the time of his dissolution. Give 
him sincere and earnest repentance. 
Separate his heart from the world, and 
all its fading vanities ; and may he long 
after those more excellent and durable 
joys which are at thy right hand for ever. 
Lord, lift thou up the light of thy counte- 
nance upon him, and in all the pains of 
his body, and all the agonies of his spirit, 
let thy comforts refresh his soul, and 
enable him patiently to wait till his 



THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 73 

change come. Grant, O Lord, that when 
his earthly house of this tabernacle is dis- 
solved, he may have a building of God, a 
house not made with hands, eternal in the 
heavens; through thy dear Son, Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Gloria Christi. 

[Originally draughted by the Rev. Dr. Muhlenberg: 
enlarged and re-arranged bvthe late Bishop of Western 
New York, the Rt. Rev. Arthur C. Coxe, D.D., LL.D.] 

Let us adore the Promised Seed, who 
hath bruised the Serpent's head. 

He is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel: 

The Lion of the tribe of Judah, who 
hath prevailed : 

The Alpha and Omega : the First and 
the Last : 

The Author and Finisher of our Faith, 
the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls : 

The Priest of the Most High God, the 
true Melchizedek : 

The Mediator of the New Covenant, 
the true Moses : 

The Captain of our Salvation, the true 
Joshua : 

The Faithful and True Witness, the 
Amen. 

The Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the 
Valley : 

The Crown of Glory, the Diadem of 
Beauty unto his people. 

The Angel of Great Counsel, the Angel 
of the Covenant, the Ancient of Days: 

The Desire of all nations, the Glory of 
his people Israel : 

The Root and the Offspring of David : 
the Son of Mary, the Bright and the 
Morning Star: 

God manifest in the flesh : the fulness 
of the Godhead : 

The Brightness of his Father's Glory : 
the express Image of the Father: 

The Dayspring from on High : the Sun 
of Righteousness risen with healing in his 
wines : 



74 THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 

The Only-Begotten of the Father, full 
of Grace and Truth. 

The Wonderful, the Counsellor, the 
Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the 
Prince of Peace : 

The Lamb slain from the foundation of 
the world, the Propitiation for our sins: 

The only Name under Heaven, given 
among men, whereby we must be saved. 

The Mediator between God and man. 
The Messiah : 

Our Prophet, Priest and King: the 
Lord, our Righteousness: 

He that hath the keys of Death and of 
Hell : the Judge of Quick and Dead : 

And he shall reign forever and ever: 
by his name, J AH. 

King of Kings, and Lord of Lords: 
God over all blessed forevermore. 

JESUS CHRIST, the same, yesterday, 
to-day and forever, Hallelujah. Amen. 



Prayers for the Dying. 

Almighty God, the help of all who 
trust in thee ; We make our supplication 
in behalf of thy sick servant approaching 
the close of his mortal life. May it please 
thee to give thy holy angels charge over 
him, to assist him in his last conflict, and 
to conduct his soul into the blessed society 
of thy saints in paradise, there to rest in 
joy and peace, till thou shalt vouchsafe to 
his body a' part in the blessed resurrection 
of the just; through him who died and 
rose again, thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

Unto thee, O Lord, we commend the 
soul of this thy servant, that dying to the 
world, he may live to thee; and whatever 
sins he has committed through the frailty 



THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 75 

of earthly life, do thou clear away by thy 
most loving and merciful forgiveness ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O Lord God, receive the soul of this 
thy servant, and enter not into judgment 
with him. Spare him whom thou hast 
redeemed with thy most precious blood. 
Count not against him the errors of his 
youth, nor the sins and shortcomings of 
his after years, but strengthen him in his 
agony. Let not his faith waver, his hope 
fail, nor his love grow cold. Let the 
enemy have no advantage over him, but 
let him die in peace, rest in hope, rise in 
glory, and dwell in thy presence forever; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

For a Dying Child. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, who didst take 
little children in thine arms and bless 
them; Bless, we beseech thee, this child; 
take him into the arms of thine everlasting 
mercy, keep him from all evil, and bring 
him into the company of those who ever 
behold the face of thy Father which is in 
heaven ; to whom with thee and the 
blessed Spirit be all the praise for ever- 
more. Amen. 



The Order for the Burial 
of the Dead. 

% Here is to be noted, that the Office ensuing is not to 
be used for any unbaptized adults, any who die 
excommunicate, or 70/10 have laid violent hands upon 
themselves. 

*f The Minister, meeting the Corpse at the entrance 
of the Churchyard, and going before it, either into 
the Church or tozvards the Grave, shall say or sing, 

I am the resurrection and the life, saith 
the Lord: he that believeth in me, 



76 THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 

though he were dead, yet shall he live: 
and whosoever liveth and believeth in me, 
shall never die. St. John xi. 25, 26. 

I know that my redeemer liveth, and 
that he shall stand at the latter day upon 
the earth : and though after my skin 
worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh, 
shall I see God : whom I shall see for 
myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and 
not another. Job xix. 25, 26, 27. 

We brought nothing into this world, 
and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 
The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken 
away; blessed be the name of the Lord. 
1 Tim. vi. 7. Job i. 21 . 

1[ After they are come into the Church, shall be said or 
sung one or both, of the following Selections, taken 
from the ^gth and goth fsalms. 

Lord, let me know mine end, and the 
number of my days : that I may be certi- 
fied how long I have to live. 

Behold, thou hast made my days as it 
were a span long : and mine age is even 
as nothing in respect of thee ; and verily 
every man living is altogether vanity. 

For a man walketh in a vain shadow, 
and disquieteth himself in vain : he heap- 
eth up riches, and cannot tell who shall 
gather them. 

And now, Lord, what is my hope : 
truly my hope is even in thee. 

Deliver me from all mine offences : 
and make me not a rebuke unto the 
foolish. 

When thou with rebukes dost chasten 
man for sin, thou makest his beauty to 
consume away, like as it were a moth 
fretting a garment : every man therefore 
is but vanity. 

Hear my prayer, O Lord, and with 
thine ears consider my calling : hold not 
thy peace at my tears ; 

For I am a stranger with thee, and a 
sojourner : as all my fathers were. 



THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 77 

spare me a little, that I may recover 
my strength : before I go hence, and be 
no more seen. 

Glory be to the Father, and to the 
Son : and to the Holy Ghost ; 

As it was in the beginning, is now, and 
ever shall be : world without end. Amen. 

Lord, thou hast been our refuge : from 
one generation to another. 

Before the mountains were brought 
•forth, or ever the earth and the world 
were made : thou art God from everlast- 
ing, and world without end. 

Thou turnest man to destruction : 
again thou sayest, Come again, ye chil- 
dren of men. 

For a thousand years in thy sight are 
but as yesterday : seeing that is past as a 
watch in the night. 

As soon as thou scatterest them the)' are 
even as a sleep : and fade away suddenly 
like the grass. 

In the morning it is green, and groweth 
up : but in the evening it is cut down, 
dried up, and withered. 

For we consume away in thy dis- 
pleasure : and are afraid at thy wrathful 
indignation. 

Thou hast set our misdeeds before 
thee : and our secret sins in the light of 
thy countenance. 

For when thou art angry all our days 
are gone : we bring our years to an end, 
as it were a tale that is told. 

The days of our age are threescore 
years and ten ; and though men be so 
strong that they come to fourscore years : 
yet is their strength then but labour and 
sorrow; so soon passeth it away, and we 
are gone. 

O teach us to number our days : that 
we ma)' apply our hearts unto wisdom. 

Glory be to the Father, and to the 
Son : and to the Holy Ghost ; 

As it was in the beginning, is now, and 
ever shall be : world without end. Amen. 



78 THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 

T[ Then shall follow the Lesson, taken out of the 
fifteenth Chapter of the first Epistle of St. Paul 
to the Corinthians. 

I Cor. xv. 20. 

Now is Christ risen from the dead, and 
become the nrstfruits of them that slept. 
For since by man came death, by man 
came also the resurrection of the dead. 
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ 
shall all be made alive. But every man 
in his own order : Christ the first-fruits ; • 
afterward they that are Christ's at his 
coming. Then cometh the end, when he 
shall have delivered up the kingdom to 
God, even the Father; when he shall 
have put down all rule and all authority 
and power. For he must reign, till he 
hath put all enemies under his feet. The 
last enemy that shall be destroyed is 
death. For he hath put all things under 
his feet. But when he saith all things are 
put under him, it is manifest that he is 
excepted, which did put all things under 
him. And when all things shall be sub- 
dued unto him, then shall the Son also 
himself be subject unto him that put all 
things under him, that God may be all in 
all. Else what shall they 'do which are 
baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not 
at all? why are they then baptized for the 
dead? and why stand we in jeopardy 
every hour? I protest by your rejoicing 
which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I 
die daily. If after the manner of men I 
have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what 
advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? 
let us eat and drink ; for tomorrow we 
die. Be not deceived: evil communi- 
cations corrupt good manners. Awake 
to righteousness, and sin not; for some 
have not the knowledge of God : I speak 
this to your shame. But some man will 
say, How are the dead raised up? and 
with what body do they come? Thou 
fool, that which thou sowest is not quick- 
ened, except it die: and that which thou 



THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 79 

sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall 
be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, 
or of some other grain : but God giveth it 
a body as it hath pleased him, and to 
every seed his own body. All flesh is not 
the same flesh : but there is one kind of 
flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, an- 
other of fishes, and another of birds. 
There are also celestial bodies, and bodies 
terrestrial : but the glory of the celestial is 
one, and the glory of the terrestrial is an- 
other. There is one glory of the sun, 
and another glory of the moon, and an- 
other glory of the stars : for . one star 
differeth from another star in glory. So 
also is the resurrection of the dead. It is 
sown in corruption ; it is raised in incor- 
ruption : it is sown in dishonour ; it is 
raised in glory : it is sown in weakness ; 
it is raised in power : it is sown a natural 
body; it is raised a spiritual body. There 
is a natural body, and there is a spiritual 
body. And so it is written, The first man 
Adam was made a living soul ; the last 
Adam was made a quickening spirit. 
Howbeit that was not first which is spirit- 
ual, but that which is natural; and after- 
ward that which is spiritual. The first 
man is of the earth, earthy: the second 
man is the Lord from heaven. As is the 
earth) r , such are they also that are earthy: 
and as is the heavenly, such are they also 
that are heavenly. And as we have 
borne the image of the earthy, we shall 
also bear the image of the heavenly. 
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and 
blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God ; 
neither doth corruption inherit incor- 
ruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; 
We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be 
changed, in a moment, in the twinkling 
of an eye, at the last trump: for the 
trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall 
be raised incorruptible, and we shall be 
changed. For this corruptible must put 
on incorruption, and this mortal must put 



80 THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 

on immortality. So when this corruptible 
shall have put on incorruption, and this 
mortal shall have put on immortality, then 
shall be brought to pass the saying that is 
written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, 
where is thy victory? The sting of death 
is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 
But thanks be to God, which giveth us 
the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye 
stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in 
the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye 
know that your labour is not in vain in the 
Lord. 

^[ Here may be sung a Hymn or an Anthem ; and, at the 
discretion of the Minister, the Creed, and such 
fitting Prayers as are elsewhere provided in this 
Book, may be added. 

^[ When they come to the Grave, while the Corpse 
is made ready to be laid into the earth, shall be sung 
or said, 

Man, that is born of a woman, hath but 
a short time to live, and is full of misery. 
He cometh up, and is cut down, like a 
flower; he fleeth as it were a shadow, and 
never continueth in one stay. 

In the midst of life we are in death ; of 
whom may we seek for succour, but of 
thee, O Lord, who for our sins art justly 
displeased? 

Yet, O Lord God most holy, O Lord 
most mighty, O holy and most merciful 
Saviour, deliver us not into the bitter 
pains of eternal death. 

Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our 
hearts ; shut not thy merciful ears to our 
prayer; but spare us, Lord most holy, O 
God most mighty, O holy and merciful 
Saviour, thou most worthy Judge eternal, 
suffer us not, at our last hour, for any 
pains of death, to fall from thee. 

^[ Then, zvhile the earth shall be cast upon the Body by 
some standing by, the Minister shall say, 

Forasmuch as it hath pleased Almighty 
God, in his wise providence, to take out 



THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 81 

of this world the soul of our deceased 
brother , we therefore commit his body to 
the ground; earth to earth, ashes to 
ashes, dust to dust; looking for the gen- 
eral Resurrection in the last day, and the 
life of the world to come, through our 
Lord Jesus Christ ; at whose second com- 
ing in glorious majesty to judge the world, 
the earth and the sea shall give up their 
dead ; and the corruptible bodies of those 
who sleep in him shall be changed, and 
made like unto his own glorious body ; 
according to the mighty working whereby 
he is able to subdue all things unto 
himself. 

*[ Then shall be said or sung, 

I heard a voice from heaven, saying 
unto me, Write, From henceforth blessed 
are the dead who die in the Lord : even 
so saith the Spirit ; for they rest from 
their labours. Rev. xiv. 13. 

*\\ Then the Minister shall say, 

Lord, have mercy upon us. 
Christ, have mercy upon ?ts. 
Lord, have mercy upon us. 

Our Father, who art in heaven, Hal- 
lowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom 
come. Thy will be done on earth, As 
it is in heaven. Give us this day our 
daily bread. And forgive us our tres- 
passes, As we forgive those who trespass 
against us. And lead us not into tempt- 
ation ; But deliver us from evil. Amen. 

*]" Then the Minister shall say one or both of the fol- 
lowing Prayers, at his discretion. 

Almighty God, with whom do live the 
spirits of those who depart hence in the 
Lord, and with whom the souls of the 
faithful, after they are delivered from the 
burden of the flesh, are in joy and felicity; 
We give thee hearty thanks for the good 
examples of all those thy servants, who, 
having finished their course in faith, do 
now rest from their labours. And we be- 



82 THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 

seech thee, that we, with all those who 
are departed in the true faith of thy holy 
Name, may have our perfect consum- 
mation and bliss, both in body and soul, 
in thy eternal and everlasting glory; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O merciful God, the Father of our Lord 
Jesus Christ, who is the Resurrection and 
the Life; in whom whosoever believeth, 
shall live, though he die; and whosoever 
liveth, and believeth in him, shall not die 
eternally; who also hath taught us, by his 
holy Apostle Saint Paul, not to be sorry, 
as men without hope, for those who sleep 
in him; We humbly beseech thee,, O 
Father, to raise us from the death of sin 
unto the life of righteousness ; that, when 
we shall depart this life, we may rest in 
him ; and that, at the general Resurrection 
in the last day, we may be found accept- 
able in thy sight ; and receive that bless- 
ing, which thy well-beloved Son shall pro- 
nounce to all who love and fear thee, say- 
ing, Come, ye blessed children of my 
Father, receive the kingdom prepared for 
you from the beginning of the world. 
Grant this, we beseech thee, O merciful 
Father, through Jesus Christ, our Medi- 
ator and Redeemer. Amen. 

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and 
the love of God, and the fellowship of the 
Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. 
Amen. 

A dditional Prayers . 

Most merciful Father, who hast been 
pleased to take unto thyself the soul of 
this thy servant \_or this child] ; Grant to 
us who are still in our pilgrimage, and 
who walk as yet by faith, that having 
served thee with constancy on earth, we 
may be joined hereafter with thy blessed 
saints in glory everlasting ; through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 



THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 83 

Lord Jesus Christ, who by thy death 
didst take away the sting of death ; Grant 
unto us thy servants so to follow in faith 
where thou hast led the way, that we may 
at length fall asleep peacefully in thee, 
and awake up after thy likeness ; through 
thy mercy, who livest with the Father and 
the Holy Ghost, one God, world without 
end. Amen. 

Almighty and everliving God, we yield 
unto thee most high praise and hearty 
thanks, for the wonderful grace and virtue 
declared in all thy saints, who have been 
the choice vessels of thy grace, and the 
lights of the world in their several gener- 
ations ; most humbly beseeching thee to 
give us grace so to follow the example of 
their stedfastness in thy faith, and obedi- 
ence to thy holy commandments, that at 
the day of the general Resurrection, we, 
with all those who are of the mystical 
body of thy Son, may be set on his right 
hand, and hear that his most joyful voice : 
Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit 
the kingdom prepared for you from the 
foundation of the world. Grant this, O 
Father, for Jesus Christ's sake, our only 
Mediator and Advocate. Amen. 

■^ Inasmuch as it may sometimes be expedient to say 
under shelter of the Church the whole or a part 
of the service appointed to be said at the Grave, 
the same is hereby allowed for weighty cause. 

At the Burial of the Dead at Sea. 

*[ The same office may be used ; but in the Sentence 
of Committal ', the Minister shall say, 

We therefore commit his body to the 
deep, looking for the general Resurrection 
in the last day, and the life of the world 
to come, through our Lord Jesus Christ; 
at whose second coming in glorious 
majesty to judge the world, the sea shall 
give up her dead ; and the corruptible 
bodies of those who sleep in him shall be 
changed, and made like unto his glorious 



84 THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 

body; according to the mighty working 
whereby he is able to subdue all things 
unto himself. 



Service in a Private House at the 
Funeral of an Adult. 

Scripture Selections. 

Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if 
thou hadst been here, my brother had not 
died. But I know, that even now, what- 
soever thou wilt ask of God, God will give 
it thee. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother 
shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, 
I know that he shall rise again in the 
resurrection at the last day. Jesus said 
unto her, I am the resurrection and the 
life : he that believeth in me though he 
were dead, yet shall he live: and whoso- 
ever liveth and believeth in me shall never 
die. Believest thou this? She saith unto 
him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art 
the Christ, the Son of God, which should 
come into the world. 

I would not have you to be ignorant, 
brethren, concerning them which are 
asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others 
which have no hope. For if we believe 
that Jesus died and rose again, even so 
them also which sleep in Jesus will God 
bring with him. For this we say unto 
you by the word of the Lord, that we 
which are alive and remain unto the com- 
ing of the Lord shall not prevent them 
which are asleep. For the Lord himself 
shall descend from heaven with a shout, 
with the voice of the archangel, and with 
the trump of God : and the dead in Christ 
shall rise first : Then we which are alive 
and remain shall be caught up together 



THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 85 

with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord 
in the air : and so shall we ever be with 
the Lord. Wherefore comfort one an- 
other with these words. 

And he showed me a pure river of 
water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding 
out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 
In the midst of the street of it, and on 
either side of the river, was there the tree 
of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, 
and yielded her fruit every month : and 
the leaves of the tree were for the healing 
of the nations. And there shall be no 
more curse : but the throne of God and of 
the Lamb shall be in it ; and his servants 
shall serve him : And they shall see his 
face : and his Name shall be in their fore- 
heads. And there shall be no night 
there; and they need no candle, neither 
light of the sun ; for the Lord God giveth 
them light : and they shall reign for ever 
and ever. 

The souls of the righteous are in the 
hand of God, and there shall no torment 
touch them. In the sight of the unwise 
they seemed to d^e ; and their departure is 
taken for misery, and their going from us 
to be utter destruction : but they are in 
peace. For though they be punished in the 
sight of men, yet is their hope full of immor- 
tality. And having been a little chastised, 
they shall be greatly rewarded ; for God 
proved them, and found them worthy for 
himself. As gold in the furnace hath he 
tried them, and received them as a burnt- 
offering. 

The righteous live for evermore ; and 
their reward also is with the Lord, and 
the care of them is with the most High : 
Therefore shall they receive a glorious 
kingdom, and a beautiful crown from the 
Lord's hand: for with his right hand shall 
he cover them, and with his arm shall he 
protect them. 



86 THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 

For the Afflicted, 

O merciful and loving Father, who 
doest all things well, and of very faith- 
fulness dost cause thy children to be 
troubled ; We acknowledge thine infinite 
wisdom and all-wise providence in visiting 
these thy servants with thy heavy hand, 
and laying upon them this cross. Make 
them to bow submissively to thy holy will, 
and give them a calm and lowly resig- 
nation. Make the house of mourning to 
be better to them than a house of feasting. 
Soften permanently by thy grace the 
hearts that now bleed, and draw them 
steadily and strongly to thee. Comfort 
them with the hope of heavenly things, 
and make all earthly desires to wither and 
vanish away from their hearts, that they 
may put their whole trust and happiness 
in thee only ; through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, we beseech thee 
to comfort these thy servants in their 
present sorrow; and as thou didst send 
the Holy Ghost to be the Comforter of 
thy. people, strengthen them by the mani- 
festation of his gracious* indwelling, that 
they may be enabled to contemplate the 
joy of that better home where thou art 
ever seen and worshipped as the light and 
satisfaction of thine elect, who dwellest 
with the Father in the unity of the same 
Spirit, one God, world without end. 
Amen. 

O Almighty and everlasting God, who 
art the comfort of the sorrowful and the 
support of those that are burdened ; Look 
in mercy, we pray thee, on all mourners 
and sufferers in this world of sorrow, that 
finding thy mercy present with them in 
their necessities, their sorrow may be 
turned into joy, and their earthly tribu- 
lations be made to them a gate of entrance 
into everlasting life ; through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 



THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 87 

merciful God, and heavenly Father, 
who hast taught us in thy holy Word that 
thou dost not willingly afflict or grieve the 
children of men ; Look with pity, we be- 
seech thee, upon the sorrows of thy ser- 
vant, for whom our prayers are desired. 
In thy wisdom thou hast seen fit to visit 
him with trouble, and to bring distress 
upon him. Remember him, O Lord, in 
mercy ; sanctify thy fatherly correction to 
him; endue his soul with patience under 
his affliction, and with resignation to thy 
blessed will ; comfort him with a sense of 
thy goodness ; lift up thy countenance 
upon him, and give him peace; through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

For one deprived of a Husband or a Wife. 

O Lord, gracious and merciful; We be- 
seech thee to sustain and comfort thy 
servant who has been deprived of the 
companion of his life. Draw graciously 
near to him in his affliction, and help him 
to cast his burden upon thee. Bless this 
cup of sorrow to his spiritual good. Bend 
his will to thine that he may hear thy 
voice speaking to his soul in consolation 
and sympathy. Follow him with thy 
goodness and mercy all the days of his 
life and at last admit him to the blessed 
companionship of thy saints in glory ever- 
lasting ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

For Children bereaved of a Parent or 
Parents. 

Almighty Father, who art full of ten- 
derness and compassion ; We pray thee 
to take these bereaved children under thy 
gracious protection. Commit them to the 
guidance of thy good Spirit, that they may 
be saved from all things hurtful to body 
and soul. Be near to them to deliver 
them in temptation, and ever in them to 
give them peace. Be more to them than 



88 THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 

any earthly parent or friend. Be thou 
their everlasting Defender and God. Give 
them abundantly of thy grace in this life, 
and finally bring them to the perpetual 
joys of thy heavenly kingdom ; through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

The Lessons of our Mortality. 

Almighty God, who bringest good out 
of evil, and light out of darkness, and 
dost nourish strength in the souls of those 
who patiently endure chastening at thy 
righteous hand, dispose us to an humble 
and thankful use of all thy dealings with 
us, even of those which are darkest to our 
mortal sight, and so shall we glorify thy 
holy Name; through Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, who art the 
Resurrection and the Life ; who didst 
thyself weep over the dead, and art 
touched with the feeling of all our griefs 
and sorrows; Be with us, we beseech 
thee, at this time, and sanctify to us the 
removal of one from the midst of us. 
Impress upon us the lesson of our 
mortality and help us to turn to thee with 
all our hearts in true repentance and lively 
faith. Let no repining or murmuring 
dishonor our Christian profession. Give 
us sure confidence in thee for all that is to 
come, and prepare our souls to meet thee 
in that day when our spirits shall return to 
him who gave them. Hear us for thy 
great mercies' sake, our only Saviour and 
Redeemer. Amen. 

Almighty God, the Father of Spirits; 
We pray thee to give us a right estimate 
of our temporal surroundings. May we 
not put our trust in them, or place them 
before the claims of thy kingdom. So 
separate us from the love and idolatry of 
worldly things, that we may never be 
surprised by the coming of death, but 



THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 89 

with a glad heart may welcome the hour 
when thou dost call us away. These 
petitions we ask in the Name and for the 
sake of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 



Service in a Private House at the 
Funeral of a Child. 

Sc viptu re Se lectio n s . 

A voice was heard in Ramah, lamen- 
tation, and bitter weeping ; Rachel weep- 
ing for her children, refused to be com- 
forted for her children, because they were 
not. 

Thus saith the Lord ; Refrain thy voice 
from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: 
for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the 
Lord ; and the}' shall come again from 
the land of the enemy. And there is 
hope in thine end, saith the Lord, that 
thy children shall come again to their own 
border. 

He shall feed his flock like a shepherd : 
he shall gather the lambs with his arm, 
and earn- them in his bosom. 

Like as a father pitieth his children, so 
the Lord pitieth them that fear him, 

For he knoweth our frame ; he remem- 
bereth that we are dust. 

As for man, his days are as grass: as a 
flower of the field, so he flourished!. 

For the wind passeth over it, and it is 
gone ; and the place thereof shall know it 
no more. 

But the mercy of the Lord is from ever- 
lasting to everlasting upon them that fear 
him, and his righteousness unto children's 
children : 

To such as keep his covenant, and to 
those that remember his commandments 
to do them. 



90 THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 

David perceived that the child was 
dead : therefore David said unto his ser- 
vants, Is the child dead? and they said, 
He is dead. Then David arose from the 
earth, and washed and annointed himself, 
and changed his apparel, and came into 
the house of the Lord and worshipped : 
then he came to his own house ; and when 
he required, they set bread before him, and 
he did eat. Then said his servants unto 
him, What thing is this that thou hast 
done? Thou didst fast and weep for the 
child, while it was alive; but when the 
child was dead, thou didst rise and eat 
bread. And he said, While the child was 
yet alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, 
Who can tell whether God will be gracious 
to me, that the child may live? But now 
he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I 
bring him back again? I shall go to him, 
but he shall not return to me. 

And they brought young children to 
him, that he should touch them : and his 
disciples rebuked those that brought them. 

But when Jesus saw it, he was much 
displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the 
little children to come unto me, and forbid 
them not ; for of such is the kingdom of 
God. 

Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall 
not receive the kingdom of God as a little 
child, he shall not enter therein 

And he took them up in his arms, put 
his hands upon them, and blessed them. 

Take heed that ye despise not one of 
these little ones; for I say unto you, That 
in heaven their angels do always behold 
the face of my Father which is in heaven. 

Verily I say unto you, Except ye be 
converted, and become as little children, 
ye shall not enter into the kingdom of 
heaven. 

For the Sorrowing , 

Father of Mercies and God of all con- 
solation ; We beseech thee to look in 



THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 91 

tenderness upon the bereaved [parent or 
parents] of the child, whom thou hast 
taken home. May there be no bitterness 
in their sorrow, and no questioning of thy 
love. Help them to feel that thou hast 
graciously delivered a lamb of thy fold 
from the sins and dangers of the present 
world, and granted him perpetual rest and 
safety. Sustain them by the encourage- 
ments of thy Word, and beyond the 
clouds of affliction may they see the 
wisdom of thy providence, and be at 
peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

Holy and compassionate Saviour, who 
didst take little children into thine arms 
and bless them, help us to be submissive 
to thy loving will when thou dost take our 
children to thyself, and grant us grace so 
to live that they may be ours again in thy 
heavenly kingdom, where with the Father 
and the Holy Spirit we shall praise thee, 
world without end. Amen. 

Infinite and immortal God ; We pray 
thee to teach us day by day that we are 
but strangers and pilgrims upon earth, 
and have here no abiding city. As the 
ties of family are broken one by one, and 
kindred and friends pass from sight, give 
us grace that we may place our affections 
more and more upon things spiritual and 
enduring; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 



Prayers for the Faithful Departed. 

O God, who art the Lord of mercy, 
grant to the soul of thy servant [the anni- 
versary of whose decease we celebrate] a 
place of refreshment, the blessedness of 
eternal peace and the brightness of 
heavenly light; through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen 



92 THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 

O Lord Jesus' Christ, who didst put 
death under thy feet, didst destroy the 
power of the devil, and gavest thy life for 
the world, grant rest to the souls of thy 

departed servants (especially ), in 

the place of light and refreshment, whence 
pain, sorrow and sighing are driven away; 
and in thy goodness and mercy pardon 
every sin committed by them in thought, 
word, and deed; thou who art the resur- 
rection and the life, and who livest and 
reignest for ever and ever. Amen. 

O God, whose property is ever to have 
mercy and to spare ; We suppliants intreat 
thee for thy servant whom to-day thou 
hast called to depart from this world, 
that thou wouldest not deliver him into 
the hand of the enemy, but commend him 
to be received by holy angels, and led 
into the land of the living. Whereas he 
hath hoped and believed in thee, may he 
be found worthy to rejoice in the society 
of thy saints ; through Jesus Christ thy 
Son our Lord. Amen. 

O Lord Christ, who hast promised to 
come again in like manner as thou didst 
go into heaven ; We pray thee to hasten 
the time of thine Advent, that sin and 
death may be overcome, and that we, 
with all thy faithful departed, may be 
perfected in blessedness in that day when 
thou makest up thy jewels ; through thy 
mercy, O our God who art blessed, and 
livest and reignest for ever and ever. 
Amen. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, God of our 
fathers; We bless thy holy Name, thy 
grace and mercy, for all those who have 
gone before us to rest in thee : pious 
fathers, devout mothers, zealous priests, 
chaste virgins, harmless infants, all in all 
vocations who have pleased thee. And 
we pray thee, give us also grace to walk 
before thee as they walked in righteous- 



THE RITES OF THE CHURCH. 93 

ness and self-denial : that having laboured 
as they laboured, we may afterward rest 
as they rest. Grant this for thy mercies' 
sake O Saviour, who with the Father and 
the Holy Ghost art one God, world with- 
out end. Amen. 

O God, the God of the spirits of all 
flesh, in whose embrace all creatures live, 
in whatsoever world or condition they be ; 
We beseech thee for those whose names 
and dwelling-places and every need thou 
knowest. Lord, vouchsafe them light and 
rest, peace and refreshment, joy and con- 
solation in Paradise, in the companionship 
of saints, in the presence of Christ, and in 
the ample folds of thy great love. Grant 
that their lives (so troubled here) may 
unfold in thy sight, and find sweet employ- 
ment in the spacious fields of eternity. If 
the)* have ever been hurt or maimed by 
any unhappy word or deed of ours, we 
pray thee of thy great pity to heal and re- 
store them, that they may serve thee with- 
out hindrance. Tell them, O gracious 
Lord, if it may be, how much we love 
them and miss them, and long to see them 
again ; and, if there be ways in which they 
may come, vouchsafe them to us as guides 
and guards, and grant us a sense of their 
nearness in such degree as thy laws 
permit. If in aught we can minister to 
their peace, be pleased of thy love to let 
this be ; and mercifully keep us from 
every act which may deprive us of the 
sight of them as soon as our trial-time is 
over, or mar the fullness of our joy when 
the end of the days hath come. Pardon, 
O gracious Lord and Father, whatsoever 
is amiss in this our prayer, and let thy 
will be done, for our will is blind and 
erring, but thine is able to do exceeding 
abundantly above all that we ask or think ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen 



94 OCCASIONAL OFFICES. 



Occasional Offices. 

Office for the Admission of Choristers. 



^[ After special psalms and lessons these questions 
follow j 

Dost thou desire to become a member of this 
Choir, appointed to direct the praises of Almighty 
God? 

Anszver. I do. 

Dost thou promise to be attentive and reverent, 
and to conduct thyself in all things as becometh one 
who is in the house of God ? 

Anszver. I do. 

Dost thou promise to exercise the spirit of broth- 
erly love toward all those who are associated with 
thee in this service of praise ? 

Anszver. I do. 

Dost thou promise to be punctual and regular in 
attendance, unless reasonably prevented ? 

Anszver. I do. 

Dost thou promise to obey in all things lawful, the 
rules of this choir ? 

Anszver. I do. 

Ddst thou promise to be obedient to those, to 
whom the direction of this choir has been given ? 

Anszver. I do. 

^[ Then shall the Priest say, 

I admit thee into this choir, In the Name of the 
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 
Amen. The praises of God be in thy heart and in 
thy mouth. The grace of God sanctify and keep 
thee, that thou mayest hereafter be numbered 
among those, who having washed their robes and 
made them white in the Blood of the Lamb, stand 
before the throne of God and serve day and night 
in the heavenly temple. 

Ij The Priest then giving the Psalter to each says, 

Receive this book, and see that what thou singest 
with thy lips, thou believe in thy heart and practice 
in thy life. 

Let us pray. 

Almighty God, who hast ordained the faculties of 
man to be the eternal instruments of rendering to 
thee glory and praise ; We thank thee that thou 
hast moved the hearts of these thy servants to desire 
to serve thee, in singing the praises of thy Name in 
thy holy Church. Bless them, we beseech thee, in 
their ministry of song. Endue them with the spirit 
of worship in thy holy fear, that through the pres- 
ence and power of the Holy Ghost, they may edify 
themselves and all thy congregation in psalms and 
hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making 



OCCASIONAL OFFICES. 95 

melody in their hearts. Hear us, for the sake of 
Jesus Christ, to whom with thee and the Holy 
Ghost, be glory and praise, world without end. 
Amen. 

Grant, O Lord Jesus Christ, that those who are 
set apart to lead thy worship upon earth may be 
admitted to join in the ceaseless songs of heavenly 
worship with thine elect ; let their white robes be to 
them a constant memorial of the purity which thou 
requirest, and their association with thy priests on 
earth remind them of their nearness to thee, the 
great High Priest, by whom alone our praises are 
acceptably offered to the Father, that so their lives, 
as well as their psalms, may be found to thine 
honor and glory, who ever livest to make inter- 
cession for us, our Mediator and Advocate, our 
Lord and our God. Amen. 

The blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the 
Son, and the Holy Ghost, be with thee, now and for 
evermore. Amen. 



Office for Laying a Corner Stone. 

Suitable Psalms. — 84, 122, 87, 48, 118. 

Suitable Lessons. — Genesis xxviii. 10; 1 Chron- 
icles xxix. 10-18; 2 Chronicles ii. 1-13 ; Ezra iii. 
10 ; 1 Corinthians iii. ; 1 Peter ii. 

"f[ After the Psalms and Lessons the Priest shall say, 

Behold I lay in Zion a chief Corner Stone elect, 
precious : 

P. And he that believeth in him shall not be con- 
founded. 

The Stone which the builders refused, 

P. Is become the head stone of the corner. 

This is the Lord's doing, 

P. And it is marvelous in our eyes. 

Glory be to the Father, etc., 

P. As it was in the beginning, etc. 

I believe, etc. 

Let us pray. 

Our Father, etc. 

Almighty and everlasting God, mercifully be 
pleased to bless this stone, which we are about to 
place for a foundation in the Name of him who 
is the tried and precious Stone ; and grant that 
all they who, to the furtherance of this work, shall 
have faithfully offered to thee of their substance, 
may ever be preserved both in body and soul ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

^[ Then shall the Priest, striking the stone three times, 
say, 
In the faith of Jesus Christ, we place this stone in 
the foundation, In the Name of the Father,^ and 
of the Son,)J< and of the Holy Ghost. ^< Amen. 



96 OCCASIONAL OFFICES. 

May the voice of prayer and praise continually be 
heard here. May many souls through faith in Jesus 
Christ, a devout hearing of the Word of God, and a 
right reception of the Holy Sacraments, find this 
place none other than the house of God, and the 
gate of heaven. Amen. 

Let us pray. 

Bless, O Lord, this stone, and grant through the 
invocation of thy holy Name that this work begun 
in thee may be fulfilled to thy glory ; through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Let thy Holy Spirit, O Lord our God, descend 
and rest upon this place, that our gifts and all our 
services may be sanctified, and our hearts, and the 
hearts of all who labor upon this building may 
be cleansed and purified ; through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

O God, who art the shield and defence of thy 
people, be ever at hand, we beseech thee, to protect 
and succor the builders of this house ; that the 
work which, through thy mercy, hath now been 
begun, may by their labor be brought to a happy 
end ; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. 

O God, who hast built the living temple of thy 
Church upon the foundation of the Apostles and 
Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief 
corner-stone ; Grant unto the work of thine own 
hands continual increase of glory and spiritual 
strength, and daily make thy people more meet for 
the eternal tabernacle of thy rest in the heavens ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O God, we humbly beseech thee to accept the 
services of all who contribute of their substance 
toward building here a house of prayer. Let thy 
blessing rest upon them and upon those who labor 
in erecting it, and grant that the progress of this 
work may be secured against every accident and 
carried forward without hindrance unto completion ; 
through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord. Amen. 

O Lord, we beseech thee to pour thy heavenly 
blessing on all those who are engaged in doing and 
furthering good works in thy holy Church ; prosper 
their undertakings, grant them perseverance therein, 
and stimulate others by their example to like zeal 
in thy service ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, who art the temple of the 
New Jerusalem ; Guide, we pray thee, wandering 
souls into that earthly Jerusalem which is thy holy 
Catholic Church. Let thy compassions overflow all 
bounds, and gather into the sanctuary of thy love 
every soul which can be made capable of loving 
thee. And at last give us, O Lord, part in the 
worship of that blessed company to whom thou, 
in the Unity of the adorable Trinity, shalt be 
All in all; grant this, O our God, who art blessed 
and liveth and reigneth for ever and ever. Amen. 

The grace, etc. 



OCCASIONAL OFFTCES. 97 

Benediction of a Rectory or Clergy 
House. 

O eternal God, without whom nothing is strong, 
nothing is holy; Bless, ^ to the use of this Parish 
for the years to come, this house which loving hearts 
and willing hands have erected for the honor and 
glory of thy great Name. May it ever be like a 
dwelling of Jacob, from which a hallowed influence 
shall go forth to bless and strengthen thy people in 
this place. May they, in the spirit of Christian 
love regard this home, and ever bring to those who 
dwell therein the support of true sympathy and 
devotion ; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

O Lord, our Heavenly Father ; Let thy loving 
mercy and compassion ever descend upon the dwell- 
ers in this house. Give them health of body, soul 
and spirit, and a competent portion of temporal 
blessings. Drive away darkness and give them 
light. Defend them from evil, and support them 
in adversity. Vouchsafe them peace, cheerfulness 
and a living faith. Abide with them through all the 
changes of their mortal state, and grant them in the 
world to come, life everlasting ; through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 



Benediction of an Altar. 

Almighty and everlasting God, who didst manifest 
thyself in the Temple with great glory : We invoke 
thy blessing >J< upon this altar. Grant that the pray- 
ers and oblations offered here may be acceptable to 
thy divine Majesty. Kneeling here may thy people 
in times of trouble find relief ; in sickness of body 
and soul, health ; in unbelief, faith ; in weakness, 
strength ; in hours of darkness, light ; and when 
depressed by sin and worldliness, spiritual refresh- 
ment and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, 
who with thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and 
reigneth one God, world without end. Amen. 

Grant, Almighty God, that all who minister at the 
altars of thy Church may have the abundance of thy 
grace. May they be holy, loving and blameless in 
their lives, and may the blessed Sacrament of the 
Body and Blood of Christ administered by them, be 
to the great and endless comfort of thy people ; 
through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



Benediction of Holy Communion 
Vessels. 

Almighty God, we acknowledge that we are not 
worthy to offer unto thee anything belonging unto 



98 OCCASIONAL OFFICES. 

us ; Yet we beseech thee to accept, bless, sanctify, 
and hallow,^ these vessels that are to be used 
in commemorating the love of thy Son in dying for 
us. We ask it through the same Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

O eternal God, by whose command the temple 
was adorned and beautified ; We bless thy holy 
Name that it hath pleased thee to put it into the 
hearts of thy servants to contribute to the beauty, 
honor, and reverent worship of thine house through 
this memorial. Enlarge, we beseech thee this spirit 
of free will offerings in all thy people, that thy king- 
dom may be advanced and the salvation of men be 
accomplished ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

Grant, O Lord, that whosoever shall receive 
through these gifts the blessed Sacrament of the 
Body and Blood of Christ, may come to that holy 
ordinance with faith, charity, and true repentance; 
and being filled with thy grace and heavenly bene- 
diction may obtain remission of their sins, and all 
other benefits of the Eucharistic Feast. Grant this 
for the sake of Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord. 
Amen. 



Benediction of a Sanctuary Lamp. 

Almighty and everlasting God, who didst command 
thine ancient people Israel to burn a lamp continu- 
ally in the tabernacle of the congregation ; We be- 
seech thee to bless and hallow ^ this lamp. By its 
light may it symbolize thy presence in thy holy 
temple, and teach us, that in thee there is no dark- 
ness at all ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, who art the Brightness of 
the Father's glory, and the Light of the world ; 
Shine upon us, we beseech thee, and grant that 
those who have the Light may walk as children of 
Light ; and that those who sit in darkness and 
the shadow of death may know thee, the one true 
Light and the Sun of righteousness ; who, with 
the Father and the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest 
one God, world without end. Amen. 



Benediction of a Font. 

Almighty God, we beseech thee to hallow ^ by 
thy heavenly visitation and the radiancy of thy 
Holy Spirit this Font which we dedicate unto thee, 
that whoever shall be laved herein, being cleansed 
by the three-fold washing, may of thy bounty obtain 
the pardon of all his sins ; through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 



OCCASIONAL OFFICES. 99 

We yield thee humble thanks, O heavenly Father, 
that thou hast vouchsafed to call us to the knowledge 
of thy grace and faith in thee. Increase this 
knowledge, and confirm this faith in us evermore. 
Give thy Holy Spirit to all who shall be baptized in 
this Font, that, being born again and made heirs of 
everlasting salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 
they may continue thy servants and attain thy 
promises ; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ, 
who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the 
same Holy Spirit everlastingly. Amen. 

O God, by whom redemption and adoption are 
bestowed upon us, raise up unto thyself the hearts 
of thy believing people ; that all who have been 
regenerated in holy Baptism may apprehend in 
their minds what they have received in mysteries ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Almighty and everlasting God, bring us to the 
fellowship of heavenly joys ; that thou mayest 
vouchsafe an entrance into thy kingdom to those 
that are born again of the Holy Ghost, and that the 
lowly flock may reach that place whither the mighty 
Shepherd hath gone before ; through the same Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 



Benediction of a Pulpit. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, who didst command thy 
chosen ministers to go into all the world and preach 
the gospel to every creature ; We pray thee to 
bless, ^ sanctify, and hallow this pulpit, and grant 
to all who shall speak therefrom, plainness of 
speech in rebuking vice, and persistency and bold- 
ness in declaring the whole truth. Grant this, 
blessed Saviour, for thy mercy's sake, who livest 
and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost 
one God, world without end. Amen. 

Grant us, O Lord, attentive ears, and receptive 
hearts, that we may rejoice in thy preached Word, 
and loving more and more its holy precepts, may 
daily grow in grace until we come to thine ever- 
lasting kingdom ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 



Benediction of a Rood Screen. 

Almighty God, who hast exalted the cross as the 
standard of our salvation ; We beseech thee to 
bless ^ and sanctify this Rood Screen. May its 
uplifting be acceptable to thee, and may it be to us 
a perpetual reminder of the passion of thy dear Son, 
Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with thee and the 
Holy Ghost be glory and honor, world without end. 
Amen. 



100 OCCASIONAL OFFICES. 



Blessed Saviour, who didst hang upon the cross, 
stretching forth thy loving arms ; Grant that all 
mankind may look unto thee and be saved ; through 
thy mercies and merits, who livest and reignest with 
the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, world 
without end. Amen. 



Benediction of a Cross. 

O God, who didst by the uplifting of thy beloved 
Son, draw all men unto him ; We pray thee to 
bless and sanctify >J< this cross, and grant that it 
may remind us of the humility and patience of him 
who suffered thereon, that we might obtain eternal 
life. This we ask in the Name of Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

Merciful and gracious God, who didst give thine 
only-begotten Son to die for us, the just for the 
unjust ; Grant us grace that we may never be 
ashamed of the cross of Christ. May it be to us the 
emblem of our redemption, and fill us with love and 
gratitude toward him, who for our sakes endured 
the cross, despising the shame. We ask it through 
the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



Benediction of an Organ. 

Almighty God, who hast taught us in thy blessed 
Word to magnify thy holy Name ; We offer thee 
this instrument of praise to assist in the services of 
thine house. We beseech thee to bless, ^ hallow, 
and sanctify it, that it may be free from all secular 
and worldly purposes, and lead the minds of thy 
people up to thee ; through Jesus Christ our Lord, 
Amen. 

Grant, O Lord, that those who enter thy courts to 
worship thee, may engage in the prayers and praises 
with such solemnity, reverence and devotion, that 
their spiritual natures may be refreshed and 
strengthened ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

Grant, O Lord God, that our hearts may be so 
attuned to the songs of thine earthly house that 
we may at last be welcomed to the praises of that 
temple not made with hands, eternal in the heavens ; 
where thou with the Son and the Holy Ghost livest 
and reio-nest one God, world without end. Amen. 



Benediction of an Alms Basin. 

Almighty God, who delightest in the free will 
offerings of thy people ; We pray thee to bless >J< 
and hallow this alms basin ; Grant that we may all 



OCCASIONAL OFFICES. 101 

offer thee of our substance according as thou hast 
blessed us. If we have much, may we give plente- 
ously, and if little, may we give gladly of that little, 
thus laying up in store for ourselves a good foun- 
dation against the time to come, that we may 
attain eternal life ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

O God, who buildest for thy Majesty an eternal 
habitation out of living and elect stones ; Assist thy 
suppliant people, that as thy Church gains in ma- 
terial extent, it may also be enlarged by spiritual 
increase ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



Benediction of a Church Bell. 

Almighty God, who dost sanctify material things 
to the honor and glory of thy Church ; We entreat 
thee to bless >J< and hallow this bell set apart for the 
services of thine house. May its voice be a joyful 
sound to all Christian people, bidding to prayer and 
praise, and a right keeping of holy days ; through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

We beseech thee, Almighty God, that this bell 
may speak in warning tones to the ungodly and the 
careless of the claims of thy house of prayer, and 
lead them to seek a new life in thee ; through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

We beseech thee, Almighty God, that the sound 
of this bell calling faithful souls to the Sacrament 
of the Body and Blood of Christ, may be heeded by 
us, that through the power of the Holy Eucharist, 
Christ may dwell in us, and we in him ; through the 
same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Almighty God, we pray thee that those who are 
suffering from any sickness whereby they cannot 
appear in thy courts, may through this sounding 
bell have comforting and peaceful thoughts of thee ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Almighty God, vouchsafe, we beseech thee, that 
the tolling of this bell at the passing away of 
any mortal life, may lead us to holy anticipations of 
that life which knows no ending ; through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 



Benediction of Palms. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, who in the days of thy flesh, 
entered thy capital city, meek and lowly, sitting 
upon an ass, and upon a colt, the foal of an ass, 
and who afterward was seen by Saint John, going 
forth on a white horse, with a bow and a crown, 



102 OCCASIONAL OFFICES. 

conquering and to conquer; Bless ^ these emblems 
of victory, and to those who carry them, grant that 
so far as the sufferings of Christ abound in them, 
their consolation may abound by Christ. Hear us, 
O blessed Saviour of mankind, who now livest and 
reignest with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, one 
God, world without end. Amen. 

Almighty God, whose Son at the time of his 
entrance into. Jerusalem was hailed as King, and 
his way strewn with palm branches; Grant that 
when the victorious Christ shall come again, we 
may be ready to meet him with Hosannas, and 
be made partakers with him of eternal victory ; 
through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



Various Benedictions. 



Of a Marriage Ring. 

Almighty God, we beseech thee to sanctify and 
hallow ^ this ring, and grant that he who gives 
it, and she who receives it, may live each for 
the other, and both for thee ; through Jesus Christ 
our Lord, Amen. 



Of Choir or Guild Medals. 

O God, Creator, Preserver, and Saviour of man- 
kind, send down thy blessing^ on these medals, 
that whoever wears them may evermore stand fast 
in thy faith, love and fear, and may daily increase 
in thy Holy Spirit, more and more ; through our 
Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. 

Of Service Books. 

O God, the source of all knowledge ; We beseech 
thee to hallow ^ these books now set apart for 
thy service. Grant that the blessed truths they 
contain may be gladly received and faithfully fol- 
lowed, to the glory of thy Name and our salvation ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Of Candles. 

Almighty God, who didst send thy Son to be the 
Light of the world ; Bless, ^ we beseech thee, these 
candles, and grant, that we may walk as children of 
light, to the honor of thy holy Name; through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



Of Vestments. 

O God, whose power is Almighty, who art the 
Creator and Hallower of all things ; Graciously hear 



OCCASIONAL OFFICES. 103 

our prayers, and vouchsafe thyself to bless >J< and 
hallow these garments for the use of thy ministers, 
and grant that all those who use them, attending in 
thy temple, and serving thee devoutly and rever- 
ently in them, may become well-pleasing unto thee ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Of an Altar Cloth, 

Almighty God, who hast appointed holy places for 
the administration of thy mysteries ; Vouchsafe a 
blessing^ upon this cloth made to adorn the altar 
of thine house, and grant that it may deepen our 
reverence for all things sacred ; through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 



Of Altar Linen, 

Grant, Almighty God, that this linen may be 
hallowed \%< by thy blessing, and that henceforth it 
may aid in making decorous the services that honor 
the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ. 
We ask it through the same Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

Of a Church Banner, 

Almighty God, who art honored in reverent 
worship and sacred appointments ; We beseech thee 
to bless jfc and sanctify this banner, that by its use, 
thy Church may be adorned and thy Name re- 
vered ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Of a Funeral Pall. 

Almighty God, in whose hand is the breath of 
man; We beseech thee to bless ^ and hallow this 
funeral pall, and grant that its use may remind 
us of the shortness and uncertainty of our mortal 
life, and quicken us to seek that imperishable 
wisdom which thou hast revealed through thy Son 
Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with thee and the 
Holy Ghost be all praise and glory, world without 
end. Amen. 



104 MISSIONARY PRAYERS. 



missionary Prayers. 

Order for a Missionary Service. 



Proper Psalms. — Psalms 2, 45, 46, 72, 96, no, 

US- 
Scripture Lessons. — Isaiah xlix., Hi. 7, liii. and 
lx. ; St. Matthew ix. 35 ; St. John, xvii. ; Romans, x. 
Collects. — For the Twenty-fifth Sunday after 
Trinity; St. Andrew's Day; Third Sunday in 
Advent ; Second and Third Collects for Good 
Friday ; Third Sunday after Easter ; Fifth Sunday 
after Trinity ; St. Simon and St. Jude's Day. 

Almighty God, by whose heavenly inspiration we 
think those things that are right, even as by thy 
merciful guidance we perform the same ; Quicken in 
the hearts of thy servants the Bishops and other 
Pastors of thy flock and the people committed to 
their charge, such a sense of their duty to all who 
are ignorant, erring and uncared-for in this land 
as shall move them to sacrifice and service in their 
behalf, without stint and without delay. Make us 
to see that souls are perishing for lack of the 
knowledge of Jesus Christ and him crucified, and 
since thou hast entrusted to us the knowledge of 
thy truth and the gifts of thy bounty, help us to use 
them as good stewards, that so thy Word may be 
proclaimed and thy kingdom enlarged, to the glory 
of thy Name and the salvation of men ; through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Almighty God, who, by thy Son Jesus Christ, 
didst give commandment to the holy Apostles, that 
they should go into all the world, and preach the 
gospel to every creature ; Grant to us whom thou 
hast called into thy Church a ready will to obey thy 
word, and fill us with a hearty desire to make 
thy way known upon earth, thy saving health 
among all nations. Look with compassion upon the 
heathen that have not known thee, and on the 
multitudes in our own land that are scattered 
abroad as sheep having no shepherd. O heavenly 
Father, Lord of the harvest, have respect, we be- 
seech thee, to our prayers, and send forth laborers 
into thy harvest. Fit and prepare them by thy 
grace for the work of their ministry ; give them the 
spirit of power, and of love, and of a sound mind ; 
strengthen them to endure hardship ; and grant that 
both by their life and doctrine they may show forth 
thy glory, and set forward the salvation of all men ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O Holy Father, who didst promise to thy well- 
beloved Son, "Desire of me and I shall give thee 
the heathen for thine inheritance and the utmost 
parts of the earth for thy possession ; " Hear, we 



MISSIONARY PRAYERS. 105 



pray thee, his prevailing intercession for the souls 
which he has purchased with his precious blood ; 
kindle our desires for the extension of his kingdom 
among men ; pour Upon us the spirit of supplication 
for the spread of the gospel ; and so consecrate our 
lives to thy service, that we may gladly give our- 
selves and our substance to send the sound of the 
blessed gospel "into all lands and its words unto 
the ends of the world ; " through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

Gather together thine elect, O Saviour, from the 
four corners of heaven. Send forth thy ministers 
into all the world in the spirit and power of Elias, 
and bring in the fulness of the Gentiles. Quicken 
the dead in trespasses and sins ; enlighten the 
ignorant ; bring back the wandering ; and as thou 
hast warned us that the day of the Lord so cometh 
as a thief in the night, grant us grace to be sober, 
and to watch always unto prayer, lest that day come 
upon us unawares ; and evermore to live with our 
loins girded, as men who wait for their Lord ; 
and thy Name shall be praised, world without end. 
Amen. 

O most merciful Saviour and Redeemer, who 
wouldest not that any should perish, but that all 
men should be saved and come to the knowledge of 
the truth ; Fulfil thy gracious promise to be present 
with those who are gone forth in thy Name to 
preach the gospel of salvation in distant lands. Be 
with them in all perils by land or by water, in sick- 
ness and distress, in weariness and painfulness, in 
disappointment and persecution. Bless them, we 
beseech thee, with thy continual favour; and send 
thy Holy Spirit to guide them into all truth. 
O Lord, let thy ministers be clothed with righteous- 
ness, and grant that thy Word spoken by their 
mouths may never be spoken in vain. Endue them 
with power from on high ; and so prosper thy work 
in their hands, that the fulness of the Gentiles may 
be gathered in, and all Israel be saved. Hear us, O 
Lord, for thy mercy's sake ; and grant that all who 
are called by thy Name may be one in thee, and 
may abound more and more in prayers and in free- 
will offerings, for the extension of thy kingdom 
throughout the world, to thy honor and glory, who 
livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy 
Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen. 

Almighty God, whose compassions fail not, and 
whose loving kindness reacheth unto the world's 
end ; We give thee humble thanks for all the great 
things thou hast done and art doing for the children 
of men, for the opening of heathen lands to the light 
of thy truth, for making paths in the deep waters 
and highways in the desert, for knitting nation to 
nation in the bonds of fellowship, and for the plant- 
ing of thy Church in all the earth. O merciful 
Father, in whom the whole family is named, fill full 
our hearts with grateful love for this thy goodness, 
granting us grace henceforth-to serve thee better 
and more perfectly to know thee ; through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 



106 MISSIONARY PRAYERS. 

Almighty God, who hast given to thy dear Son the 
heathen for an inheritance, and the utmost parts of 
the earth for a possession ; Bless, we beseech thee, 
the missionary work of thy holy Church in all parts 
of the world. Have pity upon the peoples who are 
still calling upon gods that cannot save, and so 
touch their hearts and waken their consciences and 
rule their wills, that they may turn to thee the 
living God, who wouldest have all men to be saved 
and to come to the knowledge of the truth. Raise 
up among them, we pray thee, prophets and teachers 
of their own blood, men full of wisdom and of the 
Holy Ghost. Gather in the souls destitute of help. 
Set free the prisoners of darkness. Have pity upon 
the unthankful and the unholy. Forgive the evil- 
doers who know not what they do ; and out of many 
nations and peoples and kindreds and tongues 
assemble the congregation of thy saints. All which 
we ask for the sake of thy only Son our Saviour 
Jesus Christ. Amen. 

O God, who hast made of one blood all nations of 
men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and didst 
send thy blessed Son to preach peace to them that 
are afar off, and to them that are nigh ; Grant that 
the heathen peoples everywhere may seek after thee 
and find thee, and hasten, O Lord, the fulfilment of 
thy promise to pour out thy Spirit upon all flesh ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



Special Prayers for Missions. 



For Indian Missions. 

Almighty and most merciful God, the Father of 
the friendless and the helper of the helpless ; Have 
pity, we beseech thee, upon the Indian tribes who 
dwell in this our land. Send to them the light and 
comfort of thy holy gospel. Bless all the means 
used to bring them to the knowledge of thy dear 
Son, who died for the salvation of all men. Guide 
with thy Spirit, guard with thy power, sustain with 
thy love, all those who minister to them in spiritual 
things, and bear to them the tidings of redemption. 
Stir up the hearts of all who profess and call them- 
selves Christians to prayer and deeds of mercy in 
behalf of this perishing race. Give to our rulers a 
sense of honor, truth and justice in all their dealings 
with them, and fill this whole nation with com- 
passion for this poor and scattered people ; and so 
fetch them home, blessed Lord, to thy flock, that 
they may be saved among the remnant of true 
Israelites, and be made one fold under one Shep- 
herd. All which we ask through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 



MISSIONARY PRAYERS. 107 



For Missions among Colored People. 

Almighty and eternal God, whose love and care 
extendeth to all thy creatures ; We pray thee to hear 
the prayers of thy Church in behalf of the mission- 
ary work now being carried on among the colored 
people of our land. Prosper every effort to advance 
their moral and spiritual condition. Save them 
from vice, superstition, and ignorance, and incite 
them to industry, self-reliance and faithfulness. 
Cause the light of thy gospel to shine into their 
hearts, and through the power of the Holy Spirit 
may they be lovers of purity, honesty and truthful- 
ness. Grant that in all things they may live 
righteously, soberly, and godly in this present 
world, and finally by thy mercy enter upon the joys 
of the world to come ; through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

For the Jews. 

O everlasting God, the God of Abraham, the God 
of Isaac, and the God of Jacob ; We beseech thee to 
look upon thine ancient people, Israel, scattered 
abroad throughout the world, and to visit them with 
thy salvation. Take away the veil from their 
hearts, and bring them to a knowledge of Jesus 
Christ, their Messiah, their Prince, and their 
Saviour : and so fetch them home, blessed Lord, 
to thy flock, that they may be saved among the 
remnant of the true Israelites, and be made par- 
takers of everlasting life ; through the same Jesus 
Christ, thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with thee 
and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. 
Amen. 

For our Fellow-country-men in distant 
Lands. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, who hast commanded us by 
thy Apostles to walk worthy of the vocation where- 
with we are called, and as we have received thy 
gift, so to minister the same one to another ; Grant 
to all who are baptized into thy holy Name, and 
especially to our fellow-country-men who sojourn in 
distant lands, that they may show forth thy praises, 
who hast called them out of darkness into mar- 
vellous light. Preserve them, we beseech thee, 
from the sin of offending thy little ones who believe 
in thee, and from causing thy Word to be blas- 
phemed among the heathen. Make them as the 
salt of the earth, and as a light in the world ; that 
so, beholding their good works, and won by their 
holy lives, multitudes may be turned to thy truth, 
to glorify thee in the day of visitation, who with the 
Father and the Holy Ghost art one God, world with- 
out end. Amen. 

For Persecuted Christians. 

Almighty God, who hast knit together thine elect 
in one communion and fellowship in the mystical 



108 MISSIONARY PRAYERS. 

Body of thy Son Christ our Lord ; and hast taught 
us to bear one another's burdens and so fulfil the 
law of Christ ; We beseech thee mercifully to re- 
member thy servants, our brethren, who are suffer- 
ing persecution for his Name. Strengthen those 
who stand ; comfort and help the weak-hearted ; 
if any fall, raise them up ; and we pray thee to for- 
give their enemies and persecutors, and to turn 
their hearts ; that the blood of these thy servants 
may be effectual to the conversion of souls and of 
the heathen land in which they dwell ; through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

For the Syrian Church. 

Revive, O Lord, in the midst of the years, revive 
thy work, O Lord. Gather together thy dispersed 
sheep, scattered throughout the world, into one fold 
under one Shepherd ; and grant that through the 
operation of the Holy Spirit the labors of the Syrian 
Church may be made effectual for the conversion of 
Asia. Send forth laborers into thy harvest, and 
defend them by thy mighty power, through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 



At the Sending forth of a Missionary . 

Almighty God, who didst send thine only-begotten 
Son into the world for the redemption of mankind, 
and that the gospel of his kingdom might be made 
known unto men through the preaching of his 
Apostles; Send, we pray thee, thy Holy Spirit upon 
this thy servant whom thou hast called to labor 
in thy vineyard. Anoint him to preach the gospel 
to the poor, send him to heal the broken-hearted, to 
preach deliverance to the captives, and recovery of 
sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are 
bruised, and to preach the acceptable year of the 
Lord. And grant that he may follow after right- 
eousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and meek- 
ness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

For Seamen. 

Almighty Father, with whom is no distance, and 
no darkness, and no power too strong for thy ruling ; 
We beseech thee to bless on all seas the vessels of 
our fleet and merchandise, our sailors and our fish- 
ermen, with all that go to and fro and occupy their 
business in great waters ; save them from dangers 
known and unforeseen ; deliver them from strong 
temptation and from easily besetting sin ; teach 
them to mark thy works and wonders on the deep ; 
fill them with kindness, loyalty and faith, and make 
every man to do his duty ; through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

For Falle7i Women. 

O Almighty God, we thy unworthy servants 
beseech thee to bless the work of thy Church among 



MISSIONARY PRAYERS. 109 

those who have fallen through the temptations of 
fleshly sin. Stir up, O Lord, the hearts of devout 
men and women to minister to thy lost and helpless 
ones ; support and comfort them in all their toil and 
anxiety, and vouchsafe them the increase of faith 
and love, and bring them to be of one mind and 
heart in the communion of thy saints, that they may 
work together for thee here, and finally be received 
into thy kingdom of peace ; through the merits and 
mediation of thy dear Son, our only Saviour, Jesus 
Christ. Amen. 



For the Increase of the Ministry. 

O Almighty God, who hast in thy holy Church 
committed to the hands of men the ministry of 
reconciliation, to gather together a great flock in all 
parts of the world, to the eternal praise of thy holy 
Name ; We humbly beseech thee that thou wilt put 
it in the hearts of many faithful men to seek this 
sacred ministry, appointed for the salvation of man- 
kind ; that so thy Church may rejoice in a due sup- 
ply of true and faithful pastors, and the bounds of 
thy blessed kingdom may be enlarged ; through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

For City J fissions. 

O God, almighty and merciful, who healest those 
that are broken in heart, and turnest the sadness of 
the sorrowful to joy ; Let thy fatherly goodness be 
upon all that thou hast made. Especially we be- 
seech thee to remember in pity such as are, at this 
time, destitute, homeless, or forgotten of their fel- 
low-men. Bless the congregation of thy poor. 
Uplift those who are cast down, mightily befriend 
innocent sufferers, and sanctify to them the endur- 
ance of their wrongs. Cheer with hope all dis- 
couraged and unhappy people, and by thy heavenly 
grace preserve from falling those whose penury 
tempteth them to sin. Though they be troubled on 
every side, suffer them not to be distressed ; though 
they be perplexed, save them from despair. Grant 
this, O Lord, for the love of him, who for our sakes 
became poor, thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. 
Amen. 

For Workers in City Missions. 

Gracious God and Father, who wiliest not that 
any should perish, but that all men should be saved 
and come to a knowledge of the truth ; Bless and 
encourage all workers, clerical and lay, who are 
ministering to the poor, the destitute, the Christless 
and cast down in our great cities. Give them 
patience in dealing with the vicious and forsaken, 
and persistency in seeking the sheep that have 
wandered from thy fold. May they be as lights 
illuminating homes of darkness and vice. May they 
speak peace to troubled hearts and bring many 
souls, now burdened with sin into the liberty and 
joy of the gospel. Fill these workers and helpers 



110 MISSIONARY PRAYERS. 

with love and courage, that they may never despair 
of any of thy creatures, but be animated to greater 
devotion and exertion by the sin and wretchedness 
of the world. Grant this for the sake of him who 
went about doing good, thy Son Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 



Prayers for Women Workers. 

Almighty God, who didst call Phoebe and other 
holy women to be helpers and workers in thy 
service ; We pray thee to bless these thy servants 
whom thou hast called to a like ministration. • Give 
them hearts of thankfulness for the honor thou hast 
put upon them. Fill them with all Christian graces, 
that by their zeal and good example, they may faith- 
fully serve thee, to the glory of thy Name, and the 
good of thy Church ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

Vouchsafe thy blessing, O Lord, upon all women 
who are engaged in good works, and devoted to the 
enlargement of thy kingdom. Give them wisdom 
and patience, diligence and fortitude, and an un- 
ceasing regard for all who may be made thine. 
Lift them above every -discouragement and give 
them an abundant harvest of souls, through him who 
came to seek and save the lost, thy Son Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

For the Woman s Auxiliary . 

O Lord, without whom our labor is but lost, and 
with whom thy little ones go forth as the mighty ; 
We humbly beseech thee to prosper all works in thy 
Church undertaken according to thy holy will, 
(especially the work of the Woman's Auxiliary,) and 
grant to thy laborers a pure intention, patient faith, 
sufficient success upon earth, and the blessedness of 
serving thee in heaven ; through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

For tlie Daagliters of the King. 

O eternal Father, who hast sent us thy Son to 
teach us things pertaining to thy heavenly kingdom ; 
Give thy blessing, we beseech thee, to this order 
wherever it may be throughout the world ; vouch- 
safe that these, thy Daughters, ever may discern thy 
sacred truth, and bear with sturdy mind, the cross, 
thy royal emblem, through the battles of their 
earthly life ; give them strength to overcome, and 
grace that they may strive to spread thy kingdom 
and to gather thy dispersed sheep within thy fold ; 
pour out upon them the seven-fold gifts of thy Holy 
Spirit, that they may never forget that it is thy 
work which they are called upon to do, that they 



MISSIONARY PRAYERS. Ill 

may think nothing, do nothing, and say nothing 
which may injure themselves, their neighbors or thy 
holy work, and that amid all temptations they may 
be ready always to forget self by obeying thy most 
blessed will, and finally, upon them, faithful unto 
death, bestow thy crown of everlasting life. We 
ask it all for his sake, for whom we work, who died 
for us, who lives for us and intercedes, our Saviour 
Jesus Christ. Amen. 

For Sisterhoods. 

O God, who inhabitest and keepest pure hearts, 
grant to Christian virgins to know the excellence of 
virginity, to love that which they know, to preserve 
faithfully that which they love, that going forth 
to meet the Bridegroom with kindled lamps, they 
may be admitted to his heavenly marriage ; through 
the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

For Deaconesses. 

Grant, O Lord, we beseech thee, to thine hand- 
maidens called to the office of Deaconess, the grace 
of perseverance in their ministry ; Bestow on them 
the gifts of wisdom and sound judgment, of sim- 
plicity and singleness of heart, of sympathy with 
those among whom they dwell and work, of ready 
obedience to all lawful rule and authority, and of 
courtesy and mildness toward all with whom they 
have to do. Be thou, O Lord, their guide in all 
doubt, their support in weariness, and their comfort 
in sorrow, that thou mayest be also unto them an 
exceeding great reward in the day of the revelation 
of thine only-begotten Son ; to whom with thee and 
the Holy Ghost be glory and honor, world without 
end. Amen. 



Prayers for Generous Giving to 
Missions. 



Almighty God, and gracious Father, the source of 
all our blessings ; We pray thee to make us sensible 
of our duty to thee in the use of the gifts intrusted 
to us. If our material resources increase, may there 
be a like increase of our generosity. If our re- 
sources diminish, we beseech thee to save us from 
the sin of beginning our economy at thy Church. 
Help us to reduce our personal comforts and gratifi- 
cations, and to make ready sacrifices for the sake of 
giving toward the spread of thy kingdom and the 
salvation of men ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

O Heavenly Father, who openest thine hand and 
fillest all things living with plenteousness ; We 



112 MISSIONARY PRAYERS. 

glorify thy holy Name for thy loving care of us 
thine unworthy children. May a grateful sense of 
thy mercy and pity move us to love thee truly, and 
to offer to the service of thy kingdom, prayerfully, 
intelligently, and generously of the earthly treasures 
which thou hast committed to our hands ; through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Almighty Saviour, who art ascended to the right 
hand of the Father, and hast poured forth the mani- 
fold gifts of the Spirit upon thy Church ; Dispose 
thy people faithfully to use all that thou givest them 
in the furtherance of thy kingdom ; for the glory of 
thy Name, who livest and reignest with the Father 
and the Holy Ghost, one God, forever and ever. 
Amen. 

Almighty' God, who alone art the Author and 
Giver of all good things ; Grant unto thy people a 
willing mind, that of all thou givest them they may 
surely give a tenth to thee, and may offer to thee 
free-will offerings, with an holy worship ; that so, 
proving thee according to thy holy Word, thou 
mayest open the windows of heaven and pour out 
the fulness of thy blessing upon thy Church, for his 
sake who gave himself a sacrifice for the sins of the 
world ; Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, builder and maker of the 
city which hath foundations, preserve thy Church, 
we entreat thee, by thine almighty power. Let her 
walls be salvation and her gates praise ; let her be 
all-glorious within, by the indwelling of the Holy 
Ghost ; let her raiment be of wrought gold, even of 
the alms, precious self-denying gifts and free-will 
offerings of thy ransomed people ; through thy 
mercy, O Lord, to whom, with the Father and the 
Holy Ghost, be endless praises. Amen. 



PRAYERS FOR THE CHURCH. 113 

Prayers for m Cburcft 
and tbe £Iergy. 

Prayers for the Church throughout 
the World. 

O eternal God and merciful Father, we humbly 
pray for thy holy Church throughout the world, that 
it being purged from false philosophy and vain 
deceit, we may live and act as befits the members of 
the mystical Body of thy Son, and in the end be 
found acceptable unto thee ; through the same Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O gracious Father, we humbly beseech thee, for 
thy Holy Catholic Church, that thou wouldest be 
pleased to fill it with all truth in all peace. Where 
it is corrupt, purify it ; where it is in error, direct it ; 
where in anything it is amiss, reform it ; where it is 
right, strengthen it ; where it is in want, provide for 
it ; where it is divided, make up the breaches of it, 
for the sake of him who died and rose again, and 
ever maketh intercession for it, Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

Defend thy Church, O Lord, we beseech thee, 
with thy continual help, that we may be enabled 
hereafter to triumph over every outward enemy, 
having here prevailed over every error that makes 
war within ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Almighty and everlasting God, who hast revealed 
thy glory, by Christ, among all nations, preserve the 
works of thy mercy ; that thy Church, which is 
spread throughout the world, may persevere with 
stedfast faith in the confession of thy Name ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



Prayers for Church Councils. 



At a Council or Conference of Bishops. 

O Lord God Almighty, Father of Lights, and 
Fountain of all Wisdom ; We humbly beseech thee 
that thy Holy Spirit may lead into all truth thy 
servants the bishops now [to be] gathered together 
in thy Name. Grant them grace to think and do 
such things as shall tend most to thy glory and 
the good of thy holy Church ; direct and prosper, 



114 PRAYERS FOR THE CHURCH. 

we pray thee, all their consultations, and further 
them with thy continual help, that the true Catholic 
and Apostolic Faith once delivered to the saints 
being maintained, thy Church may serve thee in all 
godly quietness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

At a Diocesan or General Council. 

Almighty and everlasting God, who by thy Holy 
Spirit didst preside in the Councils of the blessed 
Apostles, and hast promised, through thy Son Jesus 
Christ, to be with thy Church to the end of the 
world ; We beseech thee to be with the Council 
of thy Church here assembled in thy Name and 
Presence. Save us from all error, ignorance, pride, 
and prejudice ; and of thy great mercy vouchsafe, 
we beseech thee, so to direct, sanctify, and gov- 
ern tis in our work, by the mighty power of the 
Holy Ghost, that the comfortable gospel of Christ 
may be truly preached, truly received, and truly 
followed, in all places, to the breaking down the 
kingdom of sin, Satan, and death; till at length 
the whole of thy dispersed sheep, being gathered 
into one fold, shall become partakers of everlasting 
life ; through the merits and death of Jesus Christ 
our Saviour. Amen. 

O almighty and everlasting God, who hast given 
the Comforter to thy Church, that he should abide 
with it for ever ; Pour forth the blessing of thy 
Spirit on our prelates and pastors now assembled in 
thy Name ; defend their hearts from all hindrances 
of this world, and from all earthly feeling. Grant 
them abundantly stedfastness of faith, purity of 
love, sincere desire for peace, and firmness of 
authority, that they, by the help of thy Son Jesus 
Christ our Lord, may both rule thy flock committed 
to their care, according to thy will, and may also, 
together with their people, receive from the great 
Shepherd and Bishop of us all the rewards which 
are promised to thy saints, and be united to the 
number of thine elect ; through the same Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 



Prayers for the Diocese. 



O Lord, we beseech thee to bless thy Church and 
household in our Diocese. Grant to our Bishop a 
holy zeal in thy service. By diligent discharge of 
every duty, may he truly profit the clergy and the 
people over whom he is placed in thy Name. Bless 
all who minister in holy things. May they, declar- 
ing all thy counsel and living to thy glory, have 
many souls as their crown of rejoicing. O thou 
Lord of the harvest, send forth more laborers into 
thy harvest. Give to our congregations unity, 



PRAYERS FOR THE CHURCH. 115 

liberality, zeal and holiness. May every parish look 
not on its own things alone but also on the things of 
others. Graciously behold the families, the com- 
municants, and the children. Guide and further all 
who are in any special administration to order our 
affairs and enlarge our borders. May we all be 
so joined together in unity of spirit, and in the bond 
of peace, that we may be an holy temple acceptable 
unto thee ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, Shepherd and Bishop of our 
souls, bless, we pray thee, thy servants the clergy of 
this Diocese ; Give them holiness and wisdom in their 
hearts and words, that they may faithfully serve at 
thine altars, and truly preach thy Word ; to us, their 
flocks, give the grace of humility, that we may gladly 
obey them for thy sake ; give us, also, peace and 
love among ourselves, and purity in our lives ; and 
so may we all, both priests and people, be found 
meet, at thy coming, to receive thine eternal re- 
wards ; who livest and reignest God, world without 
end. Amen. 



Prayers for the Bishop 
of the Diocese. 

O Lord God, Father Almighty, who by the un- 
speakable bounty of thy grace alone, hast appointed 
thy servant to rule over this Diocese ; Grant him, 
we beseech thee, by the grace of thy Holy Spirit, 
fitly to discharge the ministry of the priestly office 
before thee, duly to dispense the Sacraments of the 
Church, and worthily to govern the flock entrusted 
to him, to the glory of thy holy Name ; through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O God, the Pastor and Ruler of thy faithful 
servants ; Look down in mercy on thy servant, our 
Bishop, to whom thou hast given charge of this 
Diocese, and evermore guide, defend, comfort, 
sanctify, and save him ; and grant him by thy grace 
so to advance in word and good example, that he 
may with the flock committed to him, attain to ever- 
lasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



Prayers for a Clerical Retreat. 

Almighty God, who hast given to thy Church 
pastors and teachers for the guidance of thy people ; 
Grant us grace to be faithful stewards of the mys- 
teries of thy kingdom. Make us diligent in the study 
of thy Word, and incline us to seek frequently places 
of retirement for holy meditation and prayer. Sepa- 
rate us from the contaminations of the world, and 



116 PRAYERS FOR THE CHURCH. 

give us patience, lowliness of heart, watchfulness, 
zeal, and all other things that contribute to holiness 
of life. Inspire us with a love for the souls of men, 
and strengthen our efforts for their salvation. We 
ask all through him who came to seek and save 
the lost, thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O God, who hast given us thine only-begotten Son 
to be our High Priest, and hast joined unto him 
other priests to be his ministers to make a pure 
sacrifice unto thee ; Grant that we who have been 
counted worthy of this holy calling, may devoutly 
serve at thine altar, and present ourselves as a pure 
and living offering ; through the same Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, who didst say to thy dis- 
ciples, Come ye apart into a desert place and rest 
awhile ; Grant, we beseech thee, to thy servants now 
gathered together, so to seek thee whom our souls 
desire to love, that we may both find thee and be 
found of thee, and grant such love and such wisdom 
to accompany the words which shall be spoken in 
thy Name, that they may not fall to the ground, 
but may be helpful in leading us onward through 
the toils of our pilgrimage to that rest which re- 
maineth, where, nevertheless, they rest not day nor 
night from thy perfect service, who livest and reign- 
est God for ever and ever. Amen. 



Prayers for Church Unity. 

O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our 
only Saviour, the Prince of Peace ; Give us grace 
seriously to lay to heart the great dangers we are in 
by our unhappy divisions. Take away all hatred 
and prejudice, and whatsoever else may hinder us 
from godly union and concord ; that, as there is but 
one Body, and one Spirit, and one hope of our call- 
ing, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and 
Father of us all, so we may henceforth be all of one 
heart, and of one soul, united in one holy bond of 
truth and peace, of faith and charity, and may with 
one mind and one mouth glorify thee ; through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O God, who art one God, yet Three Persons, 
blessed for evermore, who hast called us to glorify 
thee in one Body in thy only-begotten Son ; We 
earnestly pray thee for the restoration of visible 
unity of worship and communion between the 
divided members of the Catholic Church, both east 
and west ; and that all who confess thy holy Name, 
and are called Christians, may be re-united, as at 
the beginning, "in the Apostles' doctrine, and the 
fellowship, and in the breaking of the Bread, and in 
the Prayers." Remove, we beseech thee, from us, and 
from all others, whatsoever may hinder or delay this 



PRAYERS FOR THE CHURCH. 117 

blessed re-union, all suspicions, prejudices, hard 
thoughts and judgments; endue us with, such ardent 
love toward thee, and toward each other, that we may 
be one in heart, even as thou, Lord, art one with the 
Father, to whom in the unity of the Holy Ghost, be 
all praise, glory and thanksgiving for ever and ever. 
Amen. 

Almighty God, who didst send thy only-begotten 
Son into the world, that he might draw all men unto 
him ; Gather again, we beseech thee, thy scattered 
people into one communion and fellowship, that the 
world may believe that thou hast sent him and thy 
kingdom come ; through the same thy Son Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O almighty God, who hast built thy Church upon 
the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus 
Christ himself being the chief corner-stone ; Grant 
that, by the operation of the Holy Ghost, all Chris- 
tians may be so joined together in unity of spirit, and 
in the bond of peace, that they may be an holy 
temple acceptable unto thee. And especially to this 
Congregation present, give the abundance of thy 
grace ; that with one heart they may desire the pros- 
perity of thy holy Apostolic Church, and with one 
mouth may profess the faith once delivered to the 
Saints. Defend them from the sins of heresy and 
schism ; let not the foot of pride come nigh to hurt 
them, nor the hand of the ungodly to cast them 
down. And grant that the course of this world may 
be so peaceably ordered by thy governance, that thy 
Church may joyfully serve thee in all godly quiet- 
ness ; that so they may walk in the ways of truth 
and peace, and at last be numbered with thy saints 
in glory everlasting ; through thy merits, O blessed 
Jesus, thou gracious- Bishop and Shepherd of our 
souls, who art with the Father and the Holy Ghost 
one God, world without end. Amen. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, who saidst unto thine 
Apostles, Peace I leave with you, my peace I give 
unto you ; Regard not our sins, but the faith of thy 
Church, and grant to her that peace and unity 
which is agreeable to thy will ; who livest and reign- 
est God for ever and ever. Amen. 



118 PRAYERS FOR THE PARISH. 

Prayers for the Parish and 
Parish Organizations. 

Prayers for the Parish. 



Almighty and everlasting God, who dost govern 
all things in heaven and earth, mercifully hear our 
prayers, and grant to this parish all things needful 
to its spiritual and temporal welfare. ' Bless him 
who ministers to us in holy things, and grant that 
his work may be accompanied with the demon- 
stration of the Spirit and of power. Bless our 
Sunday School, and may both teachers and scholars 
be taught of thee. Help thy people to give abund- 
antly of their means according to their ability and 
opportunity. Strengthen and confirm the faithful, 
visit and relieve the sick, turn and soften the wicked, 
arouse the careless, recover the fallen, and restore 
the penitent. Remove every hindrance to the ad- 
vancement of thy truth, and bring us all to be of one 
heart and mind within the fold of thy holy Church, 
to the honor and glory of thy Name ; through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O Father of mercies and God of all grace, in 
whose hands are the hearts of men; Pour down, 
we beseech thee, on this parish the healthful dew of 
thy blessing. Give power and success to the minis- 
tration of thy Word and Sacraments, and prosper 
every design consistent with thy will for the spiritual 
or temporal welfare of thy people. Convert the 
sinful, reclaim the erring, instruct the ignorant, 
strengthen the weak-hearted, and make true piety 
and virtue to abound and flourish among us. Make 
the rich liberal, and the poor patient ; relieve and 
succor the sick and afflicted, and give thankfulness 
to the prosperous and happy. Grant that we may 
be all knit together in the bond of Christian love, 
that we may dwell together in unity, and finally 
meet in thine eternal kingdom ; through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

O God, Holy Ghost, Sanctifier of the faithful ; 
Visit, we pray thee, the members of this parish with 
thy love and favor ; enlighten their minds more and 
more with the light of the everlasting gospel ; graft 
in their hearts the love of thy Name ; increase in 
them true religion ; make them to delight to visit 
thy holy temple and to behold thy fair beauty ; 
strengthen the weak in faith ; reclaim all wandering 
and careless communicants ; preserve our families 
in peace and concord ; cherish our infants ; instruct 
our youth ; sustain the aged ; comfort the feeble- 
minded ; convert the ungodly ; gather thy dispersed 
children and unite them to thy holy, Catholic and 



PRAYERS FOR THE PARISH. 119 

Apostolic Church ; nourish them .with all goodness 
and of thy great mercy keep them in the same ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

For a Parish in Debt. 

Almighty God, who has taught us that we are to 
owe no man anything, in mercy deliver us from the 
debt now resting upon this parish. Give us the 
grace of self-denial, to enable us to contribute 
generously of our means, and bless the Church 
work in which we engage to pay the debt ; but above 
all, as the Israelites in Egyptian bondage cried to 
thee for deliverance, make us to rely on thee for 
deliverance from this and all other debts, through 
the merits of him who died to ransom us from 
the power of the grave, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. 
Amen. 

For the Endowment of a Parish. 

Almighty God, the source of all our blessings, and 
the author of every good, we commend to thy favor, 
our parish in this time of its need. Be pleased to 
encourage and strengthen every effort for its endow- 
ment. If we possess little may we give of that little 
for the upbuilding of thy Holy Church. If thou 
hast bestowed abundantly upon us the things of this 
life, may we give abundantly, so that having a keen 
sense of our accountability, and making a wise use 
of our stewardship, we shall at last obtain the 
enduring riches of thy heavenly kingdom. We ask 
it in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

For an unfinished Church. 

O Heavenly Father, who art the author of every 
good thought and deed, the only giver of health and 
wealth, and in whose hand are the hearts of all men, 
as thou hast put it into our mind to build to thee 
a holy and beautiful house, so give us courage and 
strength to finish the work which we have under- 
taken. Open our hearts and hands that we may 
gladly give thee of thine own. Hasten the time 
when this building completed, and freed from every 
debt, shall be consecrated to thy service forever. 
Make this Church an abiding place of thine honor, a 
bond of unity and peace to thy people, and a gate of 
heaven. As thy servants build and give to thee, so 
build thou in them thy spiritual temple and fill it 
with thy presence ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 



At the Restoration of a Church. 

O God, who didst put into the heart of thy prophet 
Ezra, to rebuild thy temple ; We thank thee that 
thou hast blessed our endeavor in the restoration of 
this Church. Abide in it evermore, and make it a 
place of spiritual joy and peace to countless souls ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



120 PRAYERS FOR THE PARISH. 



At the Anniversary of a Parish. 

O God, who year by year renewest the conse- 
cration day of this thy holy temple, and bringest us 
again in safety to thy holy mysteries ; Hear the 
prayers of thy people, and grant that whosoever 
entereth this temple to offer his petitions, may 
rejoice in their fulfilment ; through Jesus Christ our 
Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the 
Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen. 



Prayers for the Rector 
of the Parish. 



O most gracious God, let thy blessing rest upon 
thy servant, the Rector of this parish. Grant him 
by the special help of thy grace to be holy in his life, 
to be zealous in his work, and to minister to thy 
people according to thy will. We ask it for the sake 
of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty, ever- 
lasting God ; Vouchsafe to bless thy servant, the 
Rector of this parish, Make him as thy messenger, 
energetic and zealous; as thy watchman, vigilant for 
the great interest of thy flock ; as thy steward, faith- 
ful in dispensing those treasures of thy Word and 
Sacraments committed to him. Give him fervency 
in prayer, and diligence in study. Give him 
knowledge to be sound and accurate in doctrine. 
Give him courage to maintain the truth boldly, and 
discretion to declare it seasonably, persuasively and 
effectively. Grant that he may do all that lieth in 
him to bring such as are committed to his charge 
unto the knowledge of God in Christ, that there be 
no place left among them either for error in religion, 
or for viciousness of life. This we beseech thee, 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

For the Rector when Sick. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, who hast given to thy Church 
pastors and teachers, for the perfecting of the 
saints, and for the edifying of the Body of Christ, 
who didst, when on earth, heal all manner of sick- 
ness and disease, and art the same yesterday, to-day, 
and for ever ; We come unto thee in behalf of him 
who is appointed to minister in holy things among 
us, and who is now laid on a bed of sickness. Have 
mercy, we beseech thee, on him and on us also ; 
and, if it be thy will, restore him to his former 
health and strength ; and bless this affliction to his 
and to our good, and to thy glory, for thy mercy's 
sake, our only Saviour and Redeemer. Amen. 



PRAYERS FOR THE PARISH. 121 

Prayers for a Parish without 
a Rector. 

O almighty and most gracious Father, in whose 
hands are the hearts of men, and from whom cometh 
every good and perfect gift ; We pray thee to bestow 
on this parish the gift of a faithful minister of thy 
Word and Sacraments. Grant us one who shall 
labor diligently for thee, to the saving of those com- 
mitted to his care, who shall be loving, but fearless 
in reproof, and an example of holiness to the flock. 
Vouchsafe, O Lord, that such good works as have 
been undertaken in this place for the promotion of 
thy glory may be not only carried on, but increased 
in number and efficiency, for the sake of thy dear 
Son Jesus Christ, our only Advocate and Redeemer. 
Amen. 

Almighty and everlasting God, who dost govern all 
things in heaven and earth, mercifully hear the 
supplications of us thy servants, and of thy loving- 
kindness grant, we pray thee, a Priest to this parish, 
who by faithfulness in teaching and holiness of life 
may be well pleasing unto thee, and who by watchful- 
ness and zeal may promote thy glory and the salvation 
of souls ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



Prayers for a Vestry Meeting. 



Almighty and eternal God, the giver of grace and 
strength ; We beseech thee to bestow thy blessing 
upon us, who have been placed in positions of trust 
in thy holy Church. Give us a clear sense of our 
duty, and lead us to a faithful discharge of the same. 
Grant us gentleness, forbearance, a right judgment 
and personal consecration, that by precept and ex- 
ample, as well as by our official actions, ,the temporal 
and spiritual good of thy Church may be enlarged. 
Especially direct us in our counsels by thy gracious 
Spirit, so that all things may be done to the glory of 
thy Name, and for the unity, peace, and prosperity 
of this parish. We ask it for the sake of Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

Vouchsafe, O Lord, to these thy servants to whom 
the affairs of this parish are committed, prudence, 
justice, and charity, that they may be of one mind 
and of one heart in the upbuilding of thy Church, 
and in the spread of thy kingdom ; through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 



122 PRAYERS FOR THE PARISH. 



Prayers for Parochial Missions. 

O God, our heavenly Father, we humbly pray 
thee, for thy dear Son's sake, to bless abundantly at 
this time whatever efforts may be made to turn the 
hearts of thy children to more sincere repentance, and 
more living faith. Give a double portion of thy Holy 
Spirit to all the Ministers of thy Church ; and more 
especially to him who now comes to preach thy 
Word to us. Prepare all hearts to receive the seed 
of thy Word. Grant that it may take deep root, and 
bring forth fruit to thy glory. Alarm the careless 
among us, humble the self-righteous, kindle the luke- 
warm, soften the hardened, encourage the fearful, 
relieve the doubting, and bring many souls in loving 
faith to thyself; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

Have mercy, good Lord, on all in this parish 
during this special season of prayer and consecration. 
Let thy Spirit be poured out among us ; the Spirit of 
Light and Truth, to shed abroad in the hearts of the 
people holiness, wisdom, peace and love; the Spirit 
of grace and supplication, to teach them earnestly to 
pray unto thee. Let thy blessing rest on every head, 
that all may be brought unto thee in faith and love; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Almighty God, who hast promised to hear the 
petitions of those who ask in thy Son's Name, we 
earnestly beseech thee to send thy blessing upon the 
Mission held among us. Give thy Holy Spirit to all 
whom thou shalt call to proclaim the message of 
salvation, and dispose our hearts gladly to attend to 
and receive the same. Prosper this and every other 
endeavor to extend the knowledge of thy Name, so 
that thy glory may be advanced, and many souls may 
be won through the merits and for the sake of thy 
blessed Son Jesus Christ' our Lord, who liveth and 
reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, 
world without end. Amen. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, the Great Shepherd of the 
sheep, who seekest those that are gone astray, bindest 
up those that are broken, and healest those that are 
sick ; Bless, we beseech thee, the effort now being 
made to convert souls unto thee. Open the deaf 
ears of the wanderers, that they may hear the words 
which belong unto their salvation ; and grant that 
those whom thou dost raise to newness of life, may 
through thy grace persevere unto the end : of thy 
mercy, O our God, who art blessed, and livest with 
the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, world with- 
out end. Amen. 



Prayers with the Choir. 



Before the Processional. 

Almighty God, whose eyes are upon all our ways ; 
We beseech thee to bless us as we enter upon the 



PRAYERS FOR THE PARISH. 123 

worship of thy Church. Help us to remember the 
sacredness of this place, and the solemnity of our 
duties. Keep us from wandering thoughts, worldly 
desires, and all irreverence. Kindle within us an 
increasing love of prayer and praise, and may the 
words we sing impress our hearts and influence 
our lives ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O thou who art the true light of faithful souls, 
and perfect brightness of the blessed ; Grant that 
our hearts may render unto thee thanksgiving and 
always glorify thee with the offering of praise ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Almighty God, who art worshipped by the heavenly 
host with hymns that are never silent, and with 
thanksgivings that never cease ; Fill our mouths with 
thy praise, that we may magnify thy holy Name ; 
and grant us, with all those that fear thee and keep 
thy commandments, to be partakers of the inherit- 
ance of thy saints in light ; through Jesus Christ our 
Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all 
glory, honof, and worship, now and forever. Amen. 

Fill us, heavenly Father with the true spirit of 
praise, that the worship we render unto thee may be 
acceptable in thy sight, and bring lasting joy and 
peace to our hearts ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

O God, open thou our lips and purify our hearts, 
that we may fitly, reverently, and devoutly join in 
this service, and worthily magnify thy holy Name ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

After the Recessional. 

Grant, O God, that what we have said and sung 
with our lips we may believe in our hearts, and what 
we believe in our hearts we may shew forth in our 
lives ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Accept, O God and Father, the praises we have 
offered thee this day, and may they be sanctified to 
thy glory, and our eternal good ; through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

Gracious Father, make permanent the lessons we 
have heard in this house devoted to thy honor and 
glory. May we go away wiser and better than when 
we came, and serve thee in songs of gladness all our 
days. We ask it through our only Advocate and 
Redeemer, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Almighty God, grant that we who have been per- 
mitted to sing thy praises here, may through thy grace 
hereafter sing the songs of redemption before thy 
throne ; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 
Amen. 



For the increase of the Ministry. 

O heavenly Father, thou Lord of the harvest ; We 
commend to thy love and protection, these thy youth- 



124 PRAYERS FOR THE PARISH. 

ful servants, engaged in the service of song. If thou 
hast need of any of them in the ministry of thy holy 
Church, graciously incline their hearts to this sacred 
office. May they count the pleasures and attractions 
of the world as nothing, compared with the joy and 
blessedness of turning many souls to righteousness. 
We pray thee to confirm them in all holy ways, and 
if it be thy blessed will make them faithful stewards 
of thy mysteries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

Service for Choir Meetiitgs, before and 
after practice. 

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of 
the Holy Ghost. Amen. 

V. The Lord be with you. 

R. And with thy spirit. 

Let us pray: Our Father, etc. 

V . O Lord, open thou our lips. 

R. And our mouth shall show forth thy praise. 

V. Let the people praise thee, O God^ 

R. Yea, let all the people praise thee. 

Let us pray : O Heavenly Father, who hast given 
us a voice with which to make melody unto thee, 
teach us to sing of thy loving kindness unto us ; and 
help us to serve thee, not only with our lips, but 
with our hearts, all the days of our life ; through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings with thy most 
gracious favor, and further us with thy continual 
help ; that in all our works begun, continued, and 
ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy Name ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

At the close, an evening hymn may be sung. Then : 

V. The Lord be with you. 

R. And with thy spirit. 

Let us pray : O God, who didst call Samuel when 
a child to serve in thy holy temple ; Be pleased to 
accept the service which we shall offer to thee in thy 
house ; and may our words and our thoughts be such 
as thou approvest ; for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen. 

V. I will always give thanks unto the Lord. 

R. His praise shall ever be in my mouth. 

Let us pray : O Heavenly Father, who hast taught 
us to go into thy house and sing praise unto thee ; 
Help us to tell of thy love with heart and voice, until 
we sing the new song in the company of those who 
serve and praise thee continually in thy heavenly 
courts ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

V. Let us depart in peace. Amen. 



Prayers for the Sunday School. 
For the Superintendent. 

Almighty God, who didst teach the hearts of thy 
faithful people, by sending to them the light of thy 



PRAYERS FOR THE PARISH. 125 

Holy Spirit ; Grant to the Superintendent of this 
school by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in 
all things ; may he know perfectly thy Son Jesus Christ 
to be the way, the truth, and the life ; leave him not 
destitute of thy manifold gifts, nor yet of grace to 
use them always to thy honor and glory ; and enable 
him to lead the lambs of thy flock committed to him 
for instruction, in the way that leadeth to everlasting 
life ; through the same, thy Son Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

O God, without whose illumination and guidance 
we cannot please thee ; Withhold not thy help from 
those who occupy places of trust in thy holy Church. 
Bless especially him who has been called to direct 
the interests of these children. Give him plente- 
ously of thy Spirit, that he may be earnest, faithful, 
and zealous. May he rule with gentleness and firm- 
ness, and so shape the lives of those committed to 
his care that they may become the instruments of 
thy glory ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

For the Teachers. 

Almighty God, we pray thee to bestow upon the 
teachers of this school that wisdom which cometh 
from above. Give them an abiding love for thy 
holy word, and may thy blessed Spirit help them in 
communicating thy truth to others. May they be 
kind, patient, and tender toward the lambs of thy 
flock, leading them by precept and example to love 
him who came to seek and save the lost. We ask it 
through the same, thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

Almighty God, the giver of every good and perfect 
gift ; We beseech thee to regard with thy love and 
blessing those who are here engaged in the in- 
struction of youth. Give them a deep sense of their 
responsibilities, and may they come to the special 
duties of this place with careful preparation of mind 
and heart. Give them the spirit of prayer and faith 
and of thorough consecration. Sustain them under 
any discouragements, and gladden them with the 
consciousness that they are directing the young in 
the paths of peace and righteousness. This we ask 
for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, the child born unto us ; 
Grant, we entreat thee, that in memory of thy holy 
infancy, and of the love thou bearest to thy little 
ones, all children may be sacred in our eyes. Make 
us heedful not to offend one of thy little ones ; help 
parents with much patience to correct their children 
in love ; make our infants holy Innocents, and teach 
us ourselves to become as little children ; to the 
honor of thy Name, who livest and reignest with 
the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, world 
without end. Amen. 

We beseech thee, O blessed Saviour, to help us in 
the work we are doing for thee, in teaching thy little 
ones to know thy love and to live for thee, and help 
them to learn according to thy will. Give us thy 



126 PRAYERS FOR THE PARISH. 

Holy Spirit, that we may really feel the depth of thy 
love and the happiness of a holy life, and so may 
teach others both by word and example. When 
thou shalt call us to account for our work, may we 
do it with joy ; and may both teachers and scholars 
meet hereafter, to live with thee for ever and ever, 
who with the Father and the Holy Ghost art one 
God, world without end. Amen. 



For the Children. 

Gracious Saviour, we pray thee to look with favor 
upon the children of our Sunday School, and grant 
that the instruction they receive may be to thy glory 
and their welfare and happiness. Make them to be 
obedient to their parents and teachers, and diligent 
in all their duties. May they grow in grace and in 
the knowledge of thyself, that so they may be useful 
in their generation, and finally be received into thy 
heavenly kingdom, there to dwell with thee and the 
Father and the Holy Ghost for ever and ever. 
Amen. 

Merciful Father, we entreat thee to strengthen in 
these children all things that are good, and save 
them from all things that are evil. Drive from 
their hearts every corrupting thought, and keep 
their lips from idle, impure and unseemly words. 
Preserve them from evil companions, and deliver 
them from the temptations of youth. Bring them to 
true repentance, and help them to forsake their sins. 
May they love and reverence thy house, delighting 
in its prayers and praises and early heeding its 
messages of salvation. As they grow in years may 
they rejoice more and more in doing thy will, and in 
walking in the way of thy commandments. Hear 
us, we beseech thee, in the Name of thy Son Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Blessed Jesus, who hast said, Suffer the little 
children to come unto me and forbid them not ; 
Grant that these children may hear thy gentle voice 
and gladly and faithfully serve thee all the days of 
their life. Be thou their Ruler and Guide, their 
Friend, Mediator and Redeemer. And thy Name 
with that of the Father and the Holy Ghost shall 
have all the glory and honor for ever and ever. 
Amen. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, who wast subject unto thy 
parents ; Give, we pray thee, to all children grace 
after thine example reverently to love their parents, 
and lovingly to obey them. Teach us all that filial 
duty never ends or lessens : and bless all parents in 
their children, and all children in their parents ; 
hear us, O Saviour, who with the Father and the 
Holy Ghost livest and reignest one God, world 
without end. Amen. 

O God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob ; 
Bless these thy children, and sow the seed of eternal 
life in their hearts ; that whatsoever in thy holy 
Word they shall profitably learn, they may in deed 
fulfil the same. Look, O Lord, mercifully upon 



PRAYERS FOR T?E PARISH. 127 

them from heaven, and bless them, that they obeying 
thy will, and always being in safety under thy pro- 
tection, may abide in thy love unto their lives' end ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Almighty and most merciful Father, bless, we 
humbly beseech thee, the children of this school 
with healthful bodies and good understandings, with 
the graces and gifts of thy Holy Spirit, and with 
swe"et dispositions and holy habits. May thy mercy 
and thy providence lead them through all the 
dangers and temptations of this evil world, and 
sanctify them wholly in their bodies, souls and 
spirits, and keep them unblamable unto the coming 
of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. 

O Lord God, giver of heavenly increase, who by 
thy Spirit's might dost confirm the first efforts of 
feeble souls ; Encourage in the hearts of these thy 
children everv good intent, and carry them from 
strength to strength. Cleanse their consciences, and 
stir their wills gladly to serve thee, the living God. 
Leave no room in them for spiritual wickedness, no 
lurking place for secret sins ; but so establish and 
sanctify them bv the power of tin- holy Word, that, 
evermore taking heed unto the thing that is right, 
and speaking and doing the truth, they may find 
godliness their gain both in the life which now is, 
and in that which is to come ; through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 



For the Work of the School, 

Almighty God, bless, we beseech thee, the work of 
this school, that it maybe to thy glorv, and that what- 
soever we do, we may do it heartily as unto thee. 
Give thy blessing to those who teach, that they may 
be wise and patient, and ever concerned for the salva- 
tion of their scholars ; and to those who learn, give thy 
grace that they may increase in the knowledge of all 
good things, and in the love of our Lord and Saviour 
Jesus Christ, to whom, with thee and the Holy Spirit, 
be praise and glory now and forever. Amen. 



For neglected Children . 

Regard, O Lord God, with tlry mercv all destitute 
and neglected children, who live in homes of vice, 
where thy Word is never read, and the voice of pray r er 
is never heard. Raise up friends, we pray thee, who 
will seek them out, and bring them within the 
blessed influences and holy instruction of thy 
Church, that they may know thee, and walk in the 
way of eternal life ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

For the increase of the Ministry . 

Almighty and everlasting God, who didst call 
Samuel to thy service in his youth ; We beseech 
thee to incline parents early to consecrate their sons 
to the ministry of reconciliation, that thy holy 
Church may be supplied with true and faithful 



128 PRAYERS FOR THE PARISH. 

Pastors to the glory of thj' Name and the spread of 
thy kingdom ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 



Prayers for the Young Men of a 
Parish. 

Heavenly Father, we plead with thee especially 
in behalf of young men. Thou knowest how critical 
is the period of life through which they are passing, 
and how great are the dangers by which they are 
surrounded. Regard with pity and compassion 
those who need so much thy care. Those who are 
living godless lives, pluck as brands from the burn- 
ing. May thy Holy Spirit show them the sinfulness 
of their hearts, and lead them to him whose blood 
cleanseth from all sin. Those who are trying to 
serve thee, build up more and more in faith. Protect 
them in time of danger. Strengthen them in time 
of temptation, and give them wisdom in times of 
uncertainty and doubt. May they put on the whole 
armor of God, that so they may overcome the 
wicked one, and finally receive the crown of life 
which thou hast promised to those who are faithful 
unto death. We ask it for Christ's sake. Amen. 

Quicken, O Lord God, in the hearts of young men 
the spirit of devotion. May they gladly seek the 
services and duties of thy holy Church, and by 
their example and zeal lead others to the same 
privileges. Strengthen them in all good habits, and 
make their lives useful and happy ; through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Almighty God, whose blessed Son didst take our 
nature upon him, leaving us an example that we 
should follow his steps ; Look graciously with thy 
favor upon all young men, and make them to grow 
in wisdom and" stature and in favor with thee their 
God. Give them grace to remember thee now in the 
days of their youth, and to consecrate their strength 
to thy service ; preserve them from the sins which 
easily beset them, and deliver them out of all 
temptations ; keep them pure in heart, upright in 
life, and diligent in the work to which they have 
been called. Looking unto Jesus, the author and 
finisher of their faith, may they go from strength 
to strength and at last, having finished their course 
and kept the faith, receive from thee the crown of life 
that fadeth not away ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 



Prayers for the Brotherhood 
of Saint Andrew. 

O almighty and eternal God, we humbly pray thee 
to vouchsafe thy blessing to this Brotherhood, that 



PRAYERS FOR THE PARISH. 129 

all its members being inspired with lively faith and 
love, may earnestly strive to promote the honor due 
to thy dear Son, the spread of his Church, and the 
gathering of wanderers into the fold. Give us grace 
to fulfil, in our lives, what we profess with our lips. 
Deliver us, O God, from false doctrine and slackness 
of living, and grant that, persevering unto the end, 
we may obtain everlasting life ; through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

Vouchsafe, we beseech thee, merciful Lord, to 
bless and prosper the work of our Brotherhood. 
Grant that we may labor together for the advance- 
ment of thy glory and the good of thy holy Church, 
doing always that which is well-pleasing in thy sight. 
Bless us in our own souls, and make us a blessing to 
the souls of others, and bring us at last to thy 
heavenly kingdom, and grant us the reward which 
thou hast promised to those who turn many to 
righteousness ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

God be gracious unto us, and give us all a heart to 
serve him, and to do his will with a good courage 
and a sound mind. Amen. 

Heavenly Father, thou knowest the weakness and 
cowardliness of our hearts. Thou knowest how much 
we care for the opinion of men. Help us, we be- 
seech thee, to care more for what will please thee. 
Make us strong and courageous, that we may never 
be afraid to do our duty. Give us grace and courage 
to speak when and as we should. Let us never 
shrink from our duty through the fear of man. Let 
the love of Jesus fill our hearts, that in his strength 
we may be strong. Give us the constant guidance 
and assistance of the Holy Spirit. We ask all in the 
Name and for the sake of thy dear Son Jesus Christ. 
Amen. 



At the admission of a new Member. 

Give ear, Lord, to our prayers, and vouchsafe to 
bless this thy servant, whom we have now received, 
in thy holy Name, to the companionship of the 
Brotherhood of St. Andrew ; and grant that by thy 
grace he may lead a godly life in thy Church, and, 
laboring for the extension of thy kingdom, may 
finally inherit eternal life ; through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 



Prayers for the Boys' Department of the 
Brotherhood of Saint Andrew. 

Heavenly Father, have mercy, we beseech thee, 
upon our youth. Keep them continually under thy 
protection, and direct them, according to thy 
gracious favor, in the way of everlasting salvation. 
Assist them with thy heavenly help, that they may 
ever diligently serve thee, and by no temptations be 
separated from thee ; through Jesus Christ our Lord, 
Amen. 



130 PRAYERS FOR THE PARISH. 

Almighty and most merciful Father, whose paths 
always lead to peace and truth* ; Grant, we pray thee, 
that the members of this Brotherhood may be fos- 
tered by thy tenderness, sustained by thy grace, and 
quickened to every holy thought and deed in thy 
service ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



Prayers with a Confirmation Class. 



O eternal God, who didst send thy Holy Spirit 
upon thy Church on the day of Pentecost, and hast 
promised that he shall abide with it for ever ; Grant 
that the same gracious Spirit may be vouchsafed to 
these thy servants who are about to renew their 
baptismal vows. May he lead them into all truth, 
defend them from all sin, and enable them to do thy 
will ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Grant, we beseech thee, O Lord, that thy servants 
may faithfully renew that vow which they pledged to 
thee in their baptism, renouncing the devil and all 
his works, and firmly resolving to fulfil the law of 
Christ ; and vouchsafe that they may receive at thine 
altar the pledge of that life immortal which thou 
hast promised us, and derive therefrom continual 
increase in the life of holiness which they have 
vowed ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Almighty and everlasting God, in whose Church 
the Bishops, after the example of the holy Apostles, 
in due season lay their hands on thy children and 
bless them ; We make our humble supplications unto 
thee in behalf of all those who are about to receive 
the holy rite of Confirmation, that they may shew 
forth the fruits of their regeneration in a good pro- 
fession ; and, being strengthened with might by thy 
Spirit in the inner man, may be enabled to fulfil their 
vows, and to grow up unto the perfection of the 
Christian life ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 



Prayers with a Parish Bible Class. 



O gracious God and most merciful Father, who 
hast vouchsafed us the rich and precious jewel of 
thy holy Word, convert us with thy Spirit, that 
it may be written in our hearts to our everlasting 
comfort, to reform us, to renew us according to 
thine own image, to build us up and edify us into the 
perfect building of thy Christ, sanctifying and in- 
creasing in us all heavenly virtues. Grant this, O 
Heavenly Father, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen. 



PRAYERS FOR THE PARISH. 131 

O Lord God, with whom is the fulness of salvation 
and the perfection of blessing ; Have mercy upon 
those who fail to meditate upon the inspired Word of 
thy truth ; quicken us all with an increasing love of 
thy revelation ; grant that, delighting by day and 
night to exercise ourselves therein, we may bring 
forth fruit in this world as trees of thy planting, 
nourished by the waters of thy grace, which may be 
found unto holiness and ripen unto everlasting life ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, who art the Truth incarnate 
and the Teacher of the faithful ; let thy Spirit over- 
shadow us in reading thy Word, and conform our 
thoughts to thy revelation ; that learning of thee with 
honest hearts, we may be rooted and built up in 
thee ; who livest and reignest with the Father and 
the Holy Ghost one God, world without end. 
Amen. 

O God the Holy Ghost, open thou our eyes, that 
we may see the wondrous things of thy law. Let 
thy holy Word be a lantern unto our feet, and a light 
unto our paths ; so that by thy help we may walk in 
the narrow way of eternal life ; through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

O God, whose blessed Word was given us for our 
edification, that we might attain to eternal life in the 
knowledge of thyself, pardon the sin of those who 
quote it heedlessly, and for unworthy ends, whether 
of falsehood or of amusement. Grant unto them 
grace so to reflect upon its hidden mysteries, that 
they may abstain from every expression which shall 
tend to destroy the sanctity of its language in the 
ears of others, and assist them in their meditations 
thereon, that they may be nourished by thy divine 
teaching; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Give us, O Lord our God, a firm and living faith 
in thee, that we may believe all that thou teachest in 
the sacred Scriptures and in thy holy Church ; for the 
sake of Jesus Christ our Lord Amen. 



Prayers for Parish Guilds. 



O Almighty God, who art the source of all strength 
and goodness ; We beseech thee to bless this Guild 
in all its doings. To us, thy servants who are united 
in its fellowship, wilt thou show the right way and 
incline our hearts steadily and faithfully to walk in 
it. Stand thou ever at our right hand, defending us 
against all evils that may beset us from within 
or without. In our counsels wilt thou counsei us. 
In our actions wilt thou go before and follow us. 
Engage and consecrate all our faculties of soul and 
body to the high calling wherewith we are called, 
keeping always alive in our memory the hallowed 



132 PRAYERS FOR THE PARISH. 

vows and promises of our holy Baptism. Freely we 
have received the inestimable gifts of thy gospel and 
thy Church ; freely may we give them to others. 
May nothing ever seem too hard or too humble to do 
or to suffer, in following our crucified and glorified 
Master. We ask it for his sake who hath loved us 
and given himself for us, our only Mediator and 
Advocate, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Almighty, everlasting God, we beseech thee to 
pour thy continual blessing upon this Guild, and 
upon every member thereof, both present and 
absent. Knit our hearts in gentleness, forbearance, 
and brotherly love, after the example of thy saints. 
Grant that zeal, devotion and self denial may here 
flourish, to the glory of thy Name, the comfort of 
our hearts, and the salvation of our souls ; through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O God, who art perfect love, grant unto thy 
servants to bear one another's burdens with sincere 
affection, that thy peace, which passeth all under- 
standing, may keep our hearts and minds ; through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

For an Altar Guild before Vesting the 
Altar. 

O Lord God Almighty, dwelling in light un- 
approachable, yet sanctifying, by thy presence the 
house which is called by thy Name ; Grant unto thy 
servants, the members of this Altar Guild, the spirit 
of consecration and joy, of reverence and faith, that 
ministering about holy things, and living of Christ 
our sacrifice, our souls may be temples of the Holy 
Ghost ; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 



Confession and Absolution of Penitents 
in Private. 

*\\ Before confession the Priest may say : 

The Lord be in thy heart and on thy lips, that 
thou ^ mayest rightly confess thy sins, in the Name 
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy 
Ghost. Amen. 

Tf Any one of the following forms of confession may be 
used. 

I confess to God Almighty, the Father, the Son, 
and the Holy Ghost, in the sight of the whole com- 
pany of heaven, and to thee, father, that I have sinned 
exceedingly in thought, word and deed, of my fault, 
of my own fault, of my own grievous fault ; therefore 
I pray God to have mercy upon me, and thee, father, 
to pray for me. 



PRAYERS FOR THE PARISH. 133 

I confess before you, and before Almighty God, 
that I have greatly sinned against his holy com- 
mandments, in thoughts, words and deeds, and that 
I am by nature sinful and unclean and deserve ever- 
lasting condemnation. On this account my heart is 
troubled. I sincerely lament that I have offended 
the Lord my God, and earnestly pray him for 
Christ's sake graciously to forgive me, and by his 
Holy Spirit to create in me a new heart, according 
as I believe and trust in his Word. And inasmuch 
as you have command from the Lord Jesus, as a 
Priest of the Church, to absolve all that are truly 
penitent, I entreat of you to instruct and comfort 
me out of God's Word, to declare unto me in the 
Name of Jesus Christ the forgiveness of my sins, 
and to admit me to the Sacrament of his Body and 
Blood for the strengthening of my faith, as I pur- 
pose, with the help of God, to amend and better my 
sinful life. 

I confess to Almighty God that I have sinned in 
thought, word and deed. In humility and contri- 
tion I plead his forgiveness and ask for the benefit 
of your prayers. 



^f Any one of the following forms of absolution may be 
used. 

Almighty God, have mercy upon you, forgive you 
your sins, and bring you to everlasting life. Amen. 

The Almighty and merciful Lord grant you abso- 
lution and forgiveness of your sins, time for re- 
pentance, amendment of life, and the grace and 
comfort of his Holy Spirit. Amen. 

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who of his 
great mercy hath promised forgiveness of sins to all 
those who, with hearty repentance and true faith, 
turn unto him ; Have mercy upon you ; pardon 
and deliver you from all your sins ; confirm and 
strengthen you in all goodness ; and bring you to 
everlasting life ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, is merciful 
and gracious, and ready to forgive thee all thy sins, 
for the sake of his Son Jesus Christ, who suffered 
and died for thee ; therefore in his Name, in obedi- 
ence to his command, and by virtue of his words : 
"Whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto 
them," I declare thee, being penitent, absolved and 
free from all thy sins. They are forgiven, as 
abundantly and completely as Jesus Christ hath 
merited by his sufferings and death, and com- 
manded to be preached by the gospel throughout the 
world. Take to thyself then, for thy comfort and 
peace, the assurance which I now give thee in the 
Name of the Lord Jesus, and believe without doubt, 
that thy sins are forgiven thee, in the Name of the 
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 
Amen. 



134 PRAYERS FOR THE PARISH. 

As the servant of our Lord Jesus Christ, I declare 
thee freed from thy sins, in the Name of the 
Father,^ and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 
Amen. 



Eucharistic Prayers. 



O Lord Jesus Christ, God that hidest thyself, give 
us grace, we implore thee, to discern thee spiritually 
in the most blessed Sacrament of thy Body and 
Blood ; to receive thee into souls prostrate in 
adoration, to entertain thee with our utmost love, 
and not to let thee go except thou bless us. Grant 
this, O Saviour, who with the Father and the Holy 
Ghost liveth and reigneth one God, world without 
end. Amen. 

Defend, O Lord, with thy protection those whom 
thou satisfiest with heavenly gifts ; that being set 
free from all things hurtful, we may press onward 
with our whole heart to the salvation which cometh 
from thee ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Grant, O Lord, that what we have taken with our 
mouth we may receive with our soul, and let that 
which has been a temporary gift become to us an 
everlasting remedy ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

We give thee thanks, O Lord, Holy Father, 
almighty, eternal God, who hast refreshed us by the 
participation of the most holy Body and Blood of 
thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And we pray that 
this Sacrament of our salvation which we have 
received, may not turn to our condemnation, but 
that it may be to the perfecting of body and soul for 
eternal life ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O God, who, of old, didst command the offering 
of the daily sacrifice in thy temple, and who dost 
accept the perpetual offering of thy Son once made 
upon the cross ; Grant, we beseech thee, that in thy 
good time the daily Sacrifice may be offered on the 
altars of the Church's Seminaries, to the glory of 
thy great Name and the salvation of our souls ; 
through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

Almighty God, who didst give thine only Son to 
be a propitiation for the sins of the world by his 
sacrifice upon the cross ; We beseech thee to hasten 
the time when there shall be restored to all the 
altars of thy Church, the reservation of the blessed 
Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ, that 
thereby faith in thee may be strengthened, holy 
mysteries exalted, true and reverent worship in- 
creased, and thy kingdom enlarged ; through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 



PRAYERS FOR THE HOME. 135 



Prayers for the Rome. 

* Family Prayers. 



Mornings. 

O Lord, who hast renewed unto us the light of the 
sun ; We beseech thee in thy loving kindness, to 
pour the light of thy holy Word into our souls ; that 
we may ever be devoted to thee, by whose wisdom we 
were created, and by whose providence we are 
governed; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O God, who hast commanded that no man should 
be idle, but that we should all work with our hands 
the thing that is good; Look graciously upon thy 
servants now going forth to do their duty in that 
station of life unto which thou hast been pleased to 
call them. May thy blessing be upon our persons, 
upon our labors, upon our substance and upon all 
that belongs to us. Enable us to resist the temp- 
tations of the world, the flesh and the devil, to follow 
in all things the motions of thy good Spirit, to be 
serious and holy in our lives, true and just in our 
dealings, watchful over our thoughts, words and 
actions, diligent in our business, and temperate in all 
things. Give us grace, that we may honestly im- 
prove all the talents thou hast committed to our 
trust, and grant that no worldly business, nor 
worldly pleasure may ever divert us from the 
thought of the world to come ; through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

Almighty God, make us truly sensible of, and 
penitent for, all the sins that we have committed 
against thy divine Majesty, in thought, word or 
deed. Wash away their guilt with the precious 
blood of thy dear Son. Be reconciled to us for his 
sake and save us from the wrath to come. Draw 
our minds from a love of this world, and teach us to 
use it with temperance, sobriety and moderation, 
with an entire trust and dependence on thy fatherly 
care and good providence, and with a perfect 
submission to thy blessed will in all things. Root 
out of our hearts all pride and envy, all hatred, 
malice and ill will. Put away from us all censori- 
ousness and uncharitableness, all lying and slander- 
ing, and whatever else is contrary to a truly 
Christian spirit. Endue us, we most humbly pray 
thee, with that meekness and that humility which 
in thy sight are of great value, and with all those holy 
and Christian dispositions which thou delightest in. 
Hear us for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 



* Subjects in great variety may be found in other 
parts of this book that can be used to supplement 
family worship. 



136 PRAYERS FOR THE HOME. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, thou Lord of glory, who didst 
empty thyself of glory for our sakes ; Give us grace, 
we beseech thee, with willing hearts to offer our- 
selves to thee, all we are and all we have. Raise up 
according to thy will and for thy glory, saintly 
priests, heroic missionaries, self-denying rich and 
poor, men and women devoted to thy service, virgins 
espoused to thee, married persons loving thee above 
all and each other as thy precious and cherished gift. 
Guide us by that wisdom which is pure, peaceable, 
gentle, easily entreated, merciful, fruitful, without 
partiality or hypocrisy. And prosper, Lord, thy work 
in our hands ; through thy mercy, O our God 
who art blessed, and livest and reignest for ever and 
ever. Amen. 

Regard, O Lord, with thy favor all the members 
of this household. Bind us together in love, sym- 
pathy and forbearance. Brighten our daily exist- 
ence with those endearing graces that come from 
thee. Help us to live each for the other, and to find 
our happiness in doing good and in denying our- 
selves ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Be with us, O Lord, through the whole day, in 
our going out and in our coming in. Be with us in 
every place, and in every duty to which thy provi- 
dence may call us. Bless all our lawful under- 
takings, and grant that in all our works begun, 
continued, and ended in thee, we may glorify thy 
holy Name, and finally, by thy mercy, obtain ever- 
lasting life ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Grant us, O Lord, in all our duties, thy help, in all 
our perplexities, thy counsel, in all our dangers, thy 
protection, and in all our sorrows, thy peace ; for 
the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O Lord God, who art our Guide even unto death ; 
Grant us, we pray thee, grace to follow thee 
whithersoever thou goest. In little daily duties to 
which thou callest us, bow down our wills to simple 
obedience, patience under pain or provocation, 
strict truthfulness of word and manner, humility 
and kindness. In great acts of duty or perfection if 
thou shouldest call us to them, uplift us to self- 
sacrifice, heroic courage, laying down of life for thy 
truth's sake or for a brother. Hear us in the Name 
of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O Lord God, gracious and merciful, give us this 
day, we entreat thee, a humble trust in thy mercy, 
and suffer not our hearts to fail us. Though our 
sins be seven, though our sins be seventy times 
seven, though our sins be more in number than the 
hairs of our head, yet give us grace in loving peni- 
tence to cast ourselves down into the depth of thy 
compassion; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O heavenly Father, keep before us the daily 
inspiration of thy Son's life upon earth, till we 
ennoble our duties by the spirit in which we do 
them. Subdue all selfish ambitions in us, and 
hallow the uneventfulness of our surroundings by 



PRAYERS FOR THE HOME. 137 

the companionship of Jesus Christ ; teach us to fit 
our spirits to the circumstances in which thy order- 
ing places us, and bring our hearts into recon- 
ciliation with what we have to do. From morning 
until evening keep us in the way which thou hast 
prepared for us to walk in, by the strength that 
cometh from the holy cross of Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

We praise thee, O Lord, for our family mercies ; 
for bestowing on us a quiet habitation ; for life, 
health, and strength, and the daily provisions of thy 
good providence. Grant that we may receive them 
all with grateful and sanctified hearts, enjoy them in 
the light of thy countenance, and freely give them 
back to thee when thou art pleased to require them. 
Lord, take us as thine own, and show us the favor 
thou bearest to thy people, that we may rejoice with 
thy heritage, and ever adore the exceeding riches of 
thy grace in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. 

Heavenly Father, we beseech thee to bless us in 
the personal influence, both conscious and uncon- 
scious, which we exert from day to day. May we be 
a hindrance to no one either by word or example, 
but by the purity, gentleness and unselfishness of 
our lives, may we lead many to serve and glorify 
thee ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O God, at whose word man goeth forth unto 
his work and to his labor until the evening ; Be 
merciful to all those whose duties are difficult or 
burdensome, and comfort them concerning their toil. 
Shield from bodily accident and harm the workmen 
at their work. Protect the efforts of sober and 
honest industry, and suffer not the hire of the 
laborers to be kept back by fraud. Incline the 
hearts of employers and of those whom they employ 
to mutual forbearance, fairness and good will. Give 
the spirit of governance, and of a sound mind to all 
in places of authority. Bless all those who labor in 
works of mercy and schools of good learning. Care 
for all aged persons, and all little children, the sick, 
and the afflicted, those who travel by land or by sea, 
all strangers, and emigrants and outcasts. Remember 
all who by reason of weakness are overtasked, or by 
reason of poverty are forgotten. Let the sorrowful 
sighing of the prisoners come before thee, and ac- 
cording to the greatness of thy power, preserve thou 
those that are appointed to die. Give ear unto our 
prayer, O merciful and gracious Father, for the love 
of thy dear Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. 

Almighty God and heavenly Father, who art 
gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great 
kindness ; We would remember before thee all those 
who are in any trial, sorrow or adversity. Shelter 
the defenceless, feed the hungry, comfort the 
mourner, raise up the fallen, strengthen the weak, 
restore the backslider, humble the proud, give 
wisdom to the foolish, repentance and faith to the 
hardened and careless. Pity the widow and the 
fatherless. Defend all who may be in peril, whether 
temporal or spiritual. Be nigh to those who are 



138 PRAYERS FOR THE HOME. 

sick, and sanctify their afflictions to their eternal 
good, and let thy sustaining grace be vouchsafed to 
the dying, that when heart and flesh fail, thou 
mayest be the strength of their heart, and their 
portion forever. We ask all through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

O Lord, hear us from heaven, thy dwelling place. 
Forgive the sins of our persons, and the sins of our 
prayers, and do more for us than we are worthy to 
expect at thy hands, for his sake who alone is 
worthy, even Jesus Christ, our Mediator and 
Redeemer. Amen. 

Evenings. 

We praise thee, O Lord, who givest the day for 
labor, and the night for rest, that thou hast be- 
stowed on us those things that are needful for us, 
and hast not withheld thy Spirit from us during 
these hours of light. Dispose us ever to make 
mention of thy goodness. What things we miss may 
we patiently, by thy grace, forego, and what things 
we have, may we thankfully ascribe to thy mercy ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Thou hast made, O Lord, the outgoings of an- 
other morning and evening to rejoice. Thou hast 
crowned the day with thy goodness. Let the night 
witness thy care and kindness, and may we enter on 
another portion of our time, not only under fresh 
obligations, but with new desires and resolutions to 
be forever thine ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

O Lord God Almighty, in whose hand is our 
breath, and whose are all our ways, we come to 
thank thee, for thy merciful preservation of us 
through another day. We know not, in our^utter 
ignorance of things unseen, the dangers that sur- 
round us by night and by day. We know not how 
often there is but a step between us and death. But 
all is known to thee, and thy gracious hand has often 
turned away from us the danger which thine eye 
alone could see. We praise thee, then, O Lord our 
God, who redeemest our lives from destruction, and 
crownest us with mercy and loving kindness. 
O thou, who art slow to anger and plenteous in 
mercy, pardon, we humbly pray thee, for Christ's 
sake, all our sins, negligences and ignorances. Blot 
them all out of the book of thy remembrance. Enter 
not into judgment with us on account of them. 
There is forgiveness with thee. May we hear thy 
gracious voice saying to us, "Be of good cheer ; thy 
sins are forgiven thee." In every time of need and 
trouble be thou, O God, a very present help. 
Sanctify to us all thy fatherly chastisements. We 
know that thou dost not afflict willingly, nor grieve 
the children of men. Thou chastenest us for our 
profit, to make us partakers of thy holiness. Teach 
us then, O Lord our God, to profit by all thy deal- 
ings with us. Subdue every proud and stubborn 
thought within us. May our wills be conformed to 
thine. When we are called to suffer, may we trust 



PRAYERS FOR THE HOME. 139 

and be still. When the night of weariness is upon 
us, may we be enabled patiently to wait for the 
morning of joy. O most merciful Father, who 
despisest not the sighing of a contrite heart, receive 
and comfort us who are wearied with the burden of 
our sins. Blessed Saviour, who callest the weary 
and heavy-laden unto thee, give us the rest which 
thou alone canst give. Lord, we believe, help thou 
our unbelief. Of thy great mercy scatter all our 
doubts and fears, and shed abroad in our hearts the 
comforts of thy good Spirit, that we may have joy 
and peace in believing. Take this household under 
thy care this night. Be pleased to give us all re- 
freshing sleep. May our minds be peaceful, and 
may our waking thoughts be thoughts of praise. 
These things we humbly ask in the Name of Jesus 
Christ our Saviour. Amen. 

O most gracious God, we confess that we have 
most justly provoked thy wrath and indignation 
against us. O Lord, we have displeased thee by the 
sins of our youth, and the sins of our riper years, by 
the sins of our souls and the sins of our bodies, by 
our negligences and ignorances, by the evil things 
we have done to please ourselves, and the evil things 
we have done to please others, by the sins we know 
and remember, and the sins we have forgotten, by 
the sins we have kept secret from others, and the 
sins by which we have made others to offend. But. 
O Lord, be not angry with us forever. Spare us, 
good Lord, who with true and hearty sorrow confess 
our sinfulness, and forgive us, we beseech thee, all 
that we have done amiss, for his sake, who died for 
our sins, and rose again for our justification, and 
now standeth at thy right hand, to make intercession 
for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Enlighten. O Lord, our minds that we may know 
thee, and let us not be barren nor unfruitful in that 
knowledge. May we be thankful for thy mercies, 
humble under thy corrections, and devoted to thy 
service. Put into our hearts a true faith, a purify- 
ing hope and an unfeigned charity ; and let no 
Christian grace be wanting in us. Give us meek- 
ness, humility and contentedness of mind. Make us 
diligent in* our duty, watchful against all temp- 
tations, and temperate in our most lawful enjoy- 
ments. Grant us grace to perform all parts of 
justice, yielding unto every man, whatsoever, by any 
kind of right, becomes his due ; and put also into our 
hearts such mercy and compassion that we may be 
ever ready to do acts of charity, both to our friends 
and enemies, according to the commandment and 
example of our blessed Saviour. Sanctify us 
throughout, that our whole spirits and souls and 
bodies may be preserved blameless unto the coming 
of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with thee and the 
Holy Ghost be all honor and glory, world without 
end. Amen. 

Extend, O Lord, thy pity and compassion to the 
whole race of mankind, Enlighten the Gentile 
world with a knowledge of thy truth, and bring into 
the flock thine ancient people, the Jews, and let all 



140 PRAYERS FOR THE HOME. 

who name the Name of Christ, depart from all in- 
iquity. Be gracious to thy holy Catholic Church. 
Grant that she may always preserve that doctrine and 
discipline, which thou hast delivered to her, and let 
not the gates of hell ever prevail against her. Grant 
that all our governors in Church and State may be 
useful and serviceable to thy glory, and the public 
good, remembering the great account they must one 
day give. Be merciful to all that are in affliction or 
distress, that labor under poverty or persecution, 
under bodily pains or diseases, or under temptation 
or trouble of mind. Be pleased to support and 
comfort them, and in thy good time to deliver them 
according to thy great mercy. Bless all our friends, 
relations and acquaintances. Those that are in sin, 
convert, and those that are in grace, confirm and 
strengthen. Unite us all, O God, to one another by 
mutual love, and to thyself by the constant practice 
of piety and holiness; through the merits of thy 
blessed Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Almighty God, who hast knit together thine elect 
in one communion and fellowship, in the mystical 
body of thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ ; Give us 
grace evermore to draw our supplies of life and 
peace from him, who is the head over all things 
to his Church ; and so fill us with love to him and all 
his members, that we may abound in sympathy and 
kindness. Make us willing to deny ourselves, that 
others may be enriched. Help us to bear the bur- 
dens of the weak, and to minister to the wants of all. 
Grant that this mind may be in us which was also in 
Christ Jesus, who came not to be ministered unto, 
but to minister. Save us from pride, envy and 
selfishness, and fill us with kindness, consideration, 
and humility ; for the sake of thy dear Son Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Almighty God, who art of purer eyes than to be- 
hold iniquity ; We beseech thee to fill us with sorrow 
for our sins of omission this day. If we have not 
thought of others rather than of ourselves, if we 
have not been patient under the pressure of trials 
and cares, if we have not been stedfast when 
tempted, if we have not been spiritually minded 
while surrounded with the worldly and thoughtless, 
we implore thy forbearance and forgiveness. Be 
pleased to grant us the aid of the Holy Spirit, that 
we may daily grow in grace, and render thee a 
higher and better service the longer we live. These 
things we ask in the Name of our blessed Lord and 
Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. 

Now, Lord, we commend ourselves to thy gracious 
care. Preserve us safely from all the dangers and 
perils of this night. Let not the sons of violence 
approach to hurt us, nor the devouring flame con- 
sume our dwelling. Except the Lord keep the city, 
the watchman watcheth in vain, but he that keepeth 
Israel neither slumbereth nor sleepeth. Be then, O 
God, our helper during the hours of darkness. Pre- 
serve us in body and soul from all evil, and grant us 
at last an abundant entrance into the everlasting 



PRAYERS FOR THE HOME. 141 



kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 
Amen. 

In the covenant of our Baptism and in the Name 
of the holy and undivided Trinity, we close our 
eyes to sleep. The Father bless us and keep us ; 
the Son make his face to shine upon us, and be 
gracious unto us ; the Spirit lift up his countenance 
upon us, and give us peace, now and evermore. 
Amen. 



Family Prayers for Each Day 
of the Week. 

By the Rt. Rev. F. D. Huntington, D.D..LL.D., L.H.D. 



Sunday . 



MORNING. 



This is the day which the Lord hath made ; we 
will rejoice and be glad in it. Ye shall keep my 
Sabbaths, and reverence my Sanctuary. Hallow 
my Sabbaths, and they shall be a sign between me 
and you, that ye may know that I am the Lord your 
God. Come before his presence with thanksgiving, 
and enter into his courts with praise. Worship the 
Lord in the beauty of holiness. God is a Spirit, 
and they that worship him must worship him in 
spirit and in truth. 

O Lord, most gracious Saviour, who as on this 
holy day didst rise from the dead, raise up our souls, 
we beseech thee, to newness of life, transforming us 
in the likeness of thy resurrection. Bestow upon 
each member of this family, upon all who are related 
to us and dear to us, and upon our fellow-wor- 
shippers, such a blessing through thy worship that 
the days which follow may be spent in thy service 
and thy favor. Feed us with the Bread of Life 
which cometh down from heaven. Give wisdom 
from above and courage and meekness, O blessed 
Lord, to thy ministers, and give power to their 
message. May thy truth be received into believing 
and faithful hearts, and bear fruit in holy and 
charitable lives. And the praise shall be given to 
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, world 
without end. Amen. 



Whoso dwelleth under the defence of the most 
High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 
At evening time it shall be light. Thou shalt not be 
afraid for any terror by night, nor for the arrow 
that flieth by day, for the pestilence that walketh in 
darkness, nor for the sickness that destroyeth in the 
noon-day. The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in 
safety by him, and the Lord shall cover him all the 



142 PRAYERS FOR THE HOME. 

day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders. 
This is the confidence that we have in him, that if 
we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us. 

Abide with us, O blessed Spirit of the living God, 
we entreat thee, and so cleanse our consciences that 
our Lord Jesus Christ when he cometh may find us 
waiting and prepared for his appearing, who by his 
dying overcame death and by his rising again has 
opened for us the gate of everlasting life. Accept 
our thanks for this hallowed day, for the covenants 
of thy grace and for the ordinances of thy Church. 
Pardon the sins of our holy things. Remember this 
night all who are dear to us, and may they be dear 
to thee. Shine with thy light upon the dark places 
of the earth. Let healing and sight be given to the 
nations that they may walk no more in the shadow 
of death. And to those who labor and witness for 
thee in heathen or Christian lands give thy strength 
and heavenly benediction, that they may live ac- 
cording to thy will, set forth thy holy faith, and 
hasten the coming of thy glorious kingdom ; through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Monday . 



Blessed be the Lord God who turneth the shadows 
into the morning. Cause me to hear thy loving- 
kindness in the morning, for in thee do I trust. 
They that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Zion 
which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever. 
Hast thou not known, hast thou not heard, that the 
everlasting God, the Lord, fainteth not, neither is 
weary ? Even the youths shall faint and be weary, 
and the young man shall utterly fall. But they that 
wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. 
They shall mount up with wings as eagles. They 
shall run and not be weary ; they shall walk and not 
faint. 

O Almighty God who art the life and light o'f men ; 
We give thee humble thanks that thou hast refreshed 
us with rest and sleep, and hast now touched us and 
wakened us with thine unseen Hand. Drive away 
all dullness, we beseech thee, from our minds, and 
help us to look up in faith and prayer to the true 
light of the world, which is Jesus Christ. Keep us 
this week from all injury and accident, mischief and 
wrong-doing. Make us watchful against the enemy 
of our souls, stedfast in every good work, content 
with our lot, and conquerors of our appetites and 
passions, through the power of thy Holy Spirit 
always present in our hearts. In all our anxieties 
and perplexities as to the necessities of this mortal 
life, be thou our guide and our comforter. Help us 
to go on in our Christian way, without stumbling and 
without stain, always both ashamed and afraid to 
offend our heavenly Master who so loved us as to die 
for us, and who will judge us in the last day. These 
things we ask through him, our blessed Mediator and 
Redeemer. Amen. 



PRAYERS FOR THE HOME. 143 



EVENING. 

O Lord, thou hast searched me out, and known 
me ; thou knowest my down-sitting and mine up- 
rising ; thou understandest my thoughts long before. 
Thou art about my path, and about my bed, and 
spiest out all my ways. For there is not a word in 
my tongue, but thou, O Lord, knowest it altogether. 
Yea, the darkness is no darkness to thee, but the 
night is as clear as the day. The darkness and light 
to thee are both alike. How dear are thy counsels 
unto me, O God; O how great is the sum of them. 
If I tell them, they are more in number than the 
sand. When I wake up I am present with thee. 

O God, who by making the evening to follow the 
day hast bestowed the gift of repose on human weak- 
ness ; Grant, we beseech thee, that while we enjoy 
these timely blessings we may acknowledge him 
from whom they come. Thine is the day, O Lord, 
and thine is the night ; grant that, as the natural 
sun goes down, the Sun of righteousness may abide 
in our hearts, to drive away the darkness of wicked 
thoughts. Visit, we beseech thee, this habitation 
with thy mercy, and us thy children with thy grace 
and salvation, that no illusion of the night may 
abuse us, the spirits of darkness may not come near 
to hurt us, no evil or sad accident oppress us ; and 
may thy blessing, most blessed God, be upon us for- 
ever, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Tuesday. 

MORNING. 

Put them in mind to obey magistrates, to be ready 
to every good work, to speak evil of no man, to be no 
brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all 
men. And we beseech you, brethren, to know them 
which labor among you and are over you in the 
Lord, and admonish you, and to esteem them very 
highly in love for their work's sake. And be at 
peace among yourselves. See that none render evil 
for evil unto any man. Provide things honest in the 
sight of all men. Study to be quiet and to do your 
own business, and to work with your own hands. 
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly. 

We entreat thee, O God of all wisdom, and Foun- 
tain of all goodness, that thou wilt show us the right 
way, and incline us steadily and faithfully to walk 
in it. Engage all our powers and faculties in 
observing thy commandments. Make our bodies fit 
temples for thy Holy Spirit to dwell in, so that, with 
temperance and purity, all our desires and appetites 
may be subdued to thine incorruptible will, and no 
excess or sloth darken our minds or deaden our con- 
sciences. Teach us to prize honor more than com- 
fort, and usefulness to our fellow-men more than 
their favor. Lift us above a weak or wicked fear of 
human opinions. Set us free from foolish fashions 
and wrong customs. Restrain us from following 
any multitude to do evil. Grant us patience when- 
ever we are provoked, courage when we are ready to 



144 PRAYERS FOR THE HOME. 

despair, and perseverance unto the end. May 
nothing ever seem too hard for us to do, or to suffer, 
in following him, our crucified and glorified Master, 
who bore the cross and laid down his life for us. 
And this we beg in the Name of him, our Redeemer, 
who, with thee and the Holy Ghost, liveth and 
reigneth, one God, world without end. Amen, 



The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long- 
suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith; meekness, 
temperance : against such there is no law. And 
they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with 
the affections and lusts. As many of you as have 
been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. If 
any man be in Christ he is a new creature. Every 
man's work shall be made manifest ; for the Day 
shall declare it, and the fire shall try every man's 
work of what sort it is. If any man defile the 
temple of God him shall God destroy : for the 
temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. 

O thou, Lord, who never slumberest nor sleepest, 
we humbly and heartily thank thee, for all thy good- 
ness and loving-kindness this day. This night let 
thy holy angels be ministering spirits around us ; 
and keep thou far from us all dangers and mischiefs 
and the fear of them, that we may enjoy such 
refreshing sleep as may fit us for the duties of the 
following day. Pardon, for thy dear Son's sake, all 
which we have done amiss this day, and help us 
to be truly sorry for every known sin. Remember 
for good all forsaken and troubled souls, all home- 
less children and all who have gone out from their 
homes into a world full of temptation. Remember 
the sick and friendless ; the Bishop and all the 
Clergy of this Diocese; and all thy whole Church. 
May thy kingdom come on earth, and prepare us all 
by thy Holy Spirit, and through the merits and 
death of thy dear Son, for thy eternal kingdom in 
glory. All which we ask for Jesus Christ's sake. 
Amen. 



Wednesday. 



MORNING. 



Let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on 
the breast-plate of faith and love, and for an helmet 
the hope of salvation. If we live in the Spirit let us 
also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of 
vain glory, provoking one another, envying one 
another. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so 
fulfil the law of Christ. Be kindly affectioned, one 
to another, with brotherly love, in honor preferring 
one another. For as we have many members in one 
body, and all members have not the same office, so 
we being many are one body in Christ, and every 
one members one of another. 

Bless, O Lord, we beseech thee, this household 
with thy love and favor. Be very gracious to all our 
dear relatives wherever they may be. Give joy and 
health in their dwellings. Gather into the one 



PRAYERS FOR THE HOME. 145 

Catholic and Apostolic Church our companions and 
friends, bringing into the way of truth all such as 
have erred and are deceived. Multiply ministers 
and missionaries who by a holy life and sound doc- 
trine shall diligently and earnestly preach thy Word 
and rightly and duly administer thy holy sacra- 
ments. Preserve our nation and defend our land. 
Purge it of profanity, drunkenness, violence and 
crime. May all the laws and institutions of our 
country be conformed to the principles of that ever- 
lasting kingdom which is righteousness, liberty and 
peace. And wilt thou fill the whole world with thy 
love and thy glory, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen. 



There is one Body and one Spirit, even as ye 
are called in one hope of your calling ; one Lord, 
one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of 
all, who is above all and through all, and in you 
all. It was needful for me to write unto you and ex- 
hort you that ye should earnestly contend for the 
faith. Woe unto that man by whom the Son of man 
is betrayed. Examine yourselves whether ye be in 
the faith : prove your own selves. For we can do 
nothing against the truth but for the truth. And 
I pray God your whole body, soul and spirit may be 
preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord 
Jesus Christ. 

Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord, 
and take us into thy holy care and keeping for this 
night. We thank thee for wonderfully and patiently 
preserving us, all this day, from seen and unseen 
dangers both of the body and the soul. We thank 
thee for all that we have learned and enjoyed. May 
thy continual goodness move us more and more 
to love and serve thee. Cleanse our evil hearts 
by the precious blood of our Saviour Jesus Christ, 
the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the 
world. Pity our weakness, and strengthen us with 
the might of thy Holy Spirit in the inner man. 
Permit us to go to our rest with trust in thee, our 
Heavenly Father, and in peace with each other and 
all mankind, forgiving any who may have offended 
or injured us, as we hope to be forgiven. And inas- 
much as our blessed Lord, as on this day of the 
week, was betrayed into the hands of wicked men, 
save us, we pray thee, from all heartlessness towards 
him and from acting treacherously towards one an- 
other. May we be ready always with holy courage 
to confess and defend the faith handed down to us 
as our heritage in thy Church. And being found 
stedfast unto the end may we have mercy in thy 
judgment, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



Thursday . 



MORNING. 



Jesus said, I am the Bread of Life. He that 
cometh to me shall never hunger, and he that be- 
lieveth on me shall never thirst. Verily I say unto 
you, he that heareth my word, and believeth on him 



10 



146 PRAYERS FOR THE HOME. 



that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not 
come into condemnation, but is passed from death 
unto life. 

Blessed Lord, who hast given us a new command- 
ment, that we should love one another, write that 
law of love, we beseech thee, on our hearts. Help 
us by thy Holy Spirit that all our affections may be 
pure and without dissimulation. Keep us from un- 
charitable judgments, words and actions. Dispose 
us to give gladly of such good things as thou hast 
given us for the needy and distressed, for the en- 
largement of thy kingdom, and for the glory of thy 
great Name ; through him who gave himself for us, 
Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord. Amen. 

EVENING. 

Charity suffereth long and is kind ; Charity envieth 
not ; Charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 
doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her 
own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, re- 
joiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth ; 
beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all 
things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth. 
And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; 
but the greatest of these is charity. 

O Lord God, Judge of all men, whose eyes are 
everywhere, beholding the evil and the good, we 
confess to thee our sins of this day, and our un- 
worthiness of thy constant care. Thy mercy, O 
Father, is greater than our offences. Lead us to 
true sorrow for them, and hearty repentance. 
Grant us, for Christ's dear sake, pardon for them 
all, and especially for our too frequent loss of that 
love which is the fulfilling of thy Law ; for thou art 
love. Make us strong henceforth to do thy holy 
will. Help us to live every day as if it were to 
be our last, and make us to be thy true and loving 
children, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen. 



Friday. 

MORNING. 

Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the 
sin of the world. This Man, after he had offered 
one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right 
hand of God. Let this mind be in you which was 
also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God 
thought it not robbery to be equal with God, but 
made himself of no reputation, and took upon him 
the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness 
of men ; and, being found in fashion as a man, 
he humbled himself and became obedient unto 
death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God 
hath highly exalted him. 

O Father of mercies, whose beloved Son was, 
as on this day of the week, crucified for us, the just 
for the unjust, to bring us to thee, give grace, 
we beseech thee, to every member of this family 
to look in faith upon that cross, and to crucify our- 



PRAYERS FOR THE HOME. 147 

selves upon it to every impure desire and unchristian 
temper. May we each learn, in humble devotion to 
our Master's service, to deny ourselves daily, for his 
sake, and for one another's sake, that we may follow 
him. Remove from us every corrupt and unfaithful 
affection. May we never be afraid to do right, and 
never dare to do wrong. And so, out of the good 
treasure of the heart, may we be ever bringing forth 
good things, to the praise and glory of thy Name, 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



Having therefore boldness to enter into the holiest 
by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which 
he hath consecrated for us, through the vail, that 
is to say his flesh, and having an high priest over 
the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart 
in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled 
from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with 
pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our 
faith without wavering, for he is faithful that prom- 
ised. And let us consider one another, to provoke 
unto love and to good works : not forgetting the as- 
sembling of ourselves together, as the manner of 
some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the 
more as ye see the day approaching. 

O thou good and faithful Shepherd, who didst not 
leave thy sheep but didst die for them, and who, in 
order to save us thy people from eternal death, didst 
suffer every bitter pain of body and soul, look merci- 
fully upon us ; leave us not to the punishments which 
our self-indulgence and wrong-doing deserve ; con- 
tinue thy loving kindness to us ; hide us under the 
shadow of thy wings ; put away from us anger, 
envying, and the lusts of the flesh and the pride 
of life ; give us more and more of thine own patience, 
gentleness, long-suffering and humility ; graciously 
accept our poor endeavors to draw near to thee, and 
bring us to that everlasting day, where thou, O 
Christ, with the Father and the Holy Ghost livest 
and reignest, world without end. Amen. 



Saturday 



Draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you. 
Ask and ye shall receive ; seek and ye shall find. 
Let us search and try our ways, and turn again unto 
the Lord. The eyes of the Lord are over the 
righteous and his ears are open unto their prayers. 
God shall bring every work into judgment, with 
every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it 
be evil. They said unto Peter and to the rest of the 
Apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do ? 
Then Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptized, 
every one of you, in the Name of Jesus Christ. For 
the promise is unto you and to your children, and to 
all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our 
God shall call. 



148 PRAYERS FOR THE HOME. 



O Lord God Almighty, who art without beginning 
of days and end of years, grant unto us thy children 
such a measure of thy grace that running in the way 
of thy commandments we may attain at length to the 
fulfillment of thy heavenly promises. Thou who 
hast declared to us in thy holy Word that except a 
man be born of water and of the Holy Ghost he can- 
not enter thy kingdom, may we be saved at last by 
that true baptism which is the answer of a good con- 
science towards God. Cleanse our hearts that our 
outward lives may be clean. Guide us by thy coun- 
sel here and afterwards receive us to thy glory, 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all 
generations. A thousand years in thy sight are but 
as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the 
night. So teach us to number our days that we may 
apply our hearts unto wisdom. Let thy work appear 
unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children. 
Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, and 
establish thou the work of our hands upon us. The 
Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing, but in 
everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanks- 
giving, let your requests be made known unto God. 
And the peace of God, which passeth all understand- 
ing, shall keep your hearts and minds through Jesus 
Christ. 

O holy and most merciful Father, whose most dear 
Son Jesus Christ, did as on this day of the week lie 
in the grave, all the travail of his soul and the 
agonies of his body being past, grant that by his 
blessed ministry and mediation we may become dead 
unto sin and freed from all its power. Give us grace 
while yet we have our dwelling and our daily and our 
weekly tasks in this world to be ever looking forward 
to that rest which remaineth for thy people. Receive 
our humble and hearty thanks for all thy forbearing 
goodness to us through this week now drawing to a 
close. Prepare us for the sacred employments and 
the reverent worship of another of the days of the 
Son of man. Seeing how short our time is, may we 
be found diligent in thy work, fervent in spirit, 
serving the Lord. Suffer no stain of unforgiven sin 
to linger in our hearts, but pardon and accept us for 
the sake of Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord. Amen. 



Special Prayers for the Family. 



For Mutual Love. 

O God, who art the God of all the families of the 
earth, and who hast so constituted our households 
that they may be aids to holiness and to heaven, 
breathe thy Holy Spirit into each of our hearts, 



PRAYERS FOR THE HOME. 149 



and help us to feel the power of personal godliness. 
Knit us together in Christian love and mutual kind- 
ness. Help each one to fill the position which thou 
hast assigned him with a single eye to thy glory, and 
a sincere desire for the benefit of all those who are 
associated with us. Give us grace to cultivate 
personal communion with thee, that so we may walk 
together in unity and godly love, and help each other 
on in the way to heaven. Bless us and make us 
a blessing, that our home on earth may be a prepa- 
ration for our home in heaven. Grant this, O Lord, 
for thy dear Son's sake. Amen. 

On Removing to a new Home. 

O Lord our God, who hast determined the times 
before appointed and the bounds of our habitation ; 
We pray unto thee to prosper this change in our 
dwelling-place, not only to our spiritual and temporal 
good, but also to that of others. We heartily thank 
thee for all thy past mercies, and beseech thee to 
grant that, with a new abode, we may begin a new 
life, and still more abundantly partake of thy grace 
and goodness. May this house be to us a peaceable 
habitation, and a sure dwelling, and a quiet resting- 
place. Above all, be thou, O Lord, our dwelling- 
place in all generations, and our strong habitation 
whereunto we may always resort, for the sake of 
Jesus Christ-, our Saviour and Redeemer. Amen. 



For an Husband and Wife. 

O merciful God, we humbly beseech thee to send 
thy blessing continually upon us, and to make us 
thankful for all that thou hast already vouchsafed 
unto us ; and as thou hast made us one in the 
mystical grace of matrimony, grant that we may be 
also inwardly of one heart and of one mind, paying 
due honor one to another, united in love to thee and 
to each other in thee ; living together in peace and 
holiness as faithful members of thy Church, denying 
ourselves, and being a mutual help, comfort and 
support to each other all the days of our life. [Give 
us grace to train our children in thy faith and fear.] 
Bless us with health and strength, if it be thy will ; 
and with whatever else thy good providence shall see 
to be best for our souls and bodies. Fit and pre- 
pare us day by day for our departure hence, that we 
may together inherit eternal life in thy heavenly 
kingdom, through the merits of Jesus Christ our 
Lord and Saviour. Amen. 



At the Birth of a Child. 

Lord Jesus Christ, thou tender Shepherd of the 
sheep, who dost carry the lambs in thine arms, and 
gently lead them that are with young, be gracious to 
the lamb thou hast added to thine earthly flock. 
Take the infant into thine arms as thou didst take 
the children in the days of thy humiliation, and 
didst bless them. Temper the wind to the shorn 



150 PRAYERS FOR THE HOME. 

lamb, and give it covert beneath the shadow of thy 
wings. Grant that it may be written in heaven, 
as it was recorded of thyself, that the child grew in 
wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and 
man. And to thee, O Saviour, with the Father and 
the Holy Spirit, be all the praise now and forever. 
Amen. 

Before the Baptism of a Child. 

O Almighty God and heavenly Father, we humbly 
commend to thy fatherly blessing and care, the child 
of this family, who is this day to be brought to thy 
holy Baptism. Bless him, and sanctify him, we be- 
seech thee, and grant that, being baptized with the 
Holy Ghost and received into thy Church, he may 
continue thy servant unto his life's end, and finally 
be united to all the saved in thy kingdom ; through 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 



For Children of the Family. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, who hast redeemed us with 
thy most precious blood ; Visit and quicken, we 
humbly beseech thee, the children of this household, 
whom thou by holy Baptism hast made members of 
thee, their Head and Saviour, and united into thy 
family. As thou hast thus brought them into thy 
fold, so do thou help them by thy right hand : count 
them with thy lambs, govern them by thy love, 
direct them in thy way. Make them reverent and 
holy ; teachable and observant of all heavenly pre- 
cepts ; temperate and chaste in their lives ; dutiful 
and loving toward their parents ; gentle, patient, 
and courteous to all. So, Lord, do thou adorn them 
with the graces of thy Spirit, assist them with thy 
tender compassion, and sanctify them by thy truth, 
that they may grow up in thy holy ways, and render 
acceptable praise and adoration to thee, with the 
Father, and the Holy Ghost, world without end. 
Amen. 

For Children at School. 

Almighty God, from whom cometh every good and 
perfect gift ; We pray thee to direct, assist, and 
bless the children of this family who are under in- 
struction. Father of lights, enlighten their minds ; 
preserve them from error, and lead them into the 
right knowledge of all truth. Grant that they may 
earnestly devote themselves to whatsoever studies or 
pursuits thy providence shall call them ; and adorn 
them with that modesty and . humbleness of spirit 
which thou delightest to reward. Give them healthy 
minds, upright and faithful hearts, singly devoted to 
please thee; that they may be comforts to their 
parents, and sincere members of Christ's Body, the 
Church. Imbue their spirits with the heavenly 
treasures of wisdom laid up in thy holy Scriptures, 
which are able to make them wise unto salvation : 
and let thy Word be their ruler and guide in so dis- 
charging the duties of this life, that they may not 
fail to attain the heavenly life ; through the merits 
of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. 



PRAYERS FOR THE HOME. 151 



Sponsors for Children . 

O heavenly Father, look graciously, we beseech 
thee, upon thy children to whom by thy calling we 
stand in the holy relationship of sponsors, that the 
life of thine incarnate Son into whom they are new- 
born by the operation of the Holy Ghost, may ever 
perfect them according to thy will. Grant that they, 
with pure hearts, attaining the years of discretion, 
may speedily receive the strengthening of Confir- 
mation, the nourishment and support continually of 
the Holy Communion, and that, renouncing all sin, 
believing all thy truth, seeking all thy command- 
ments, they may in the grace of the Holy Sacra- 
ments attain everlasting life ; through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 



For Absent Members of the Family. 

O God, who art everywhere present, look down 
with thy mercy upon those who are absent from us. 
Give thy holy angels charge over them, and grant 
that by the light of thy divine inspiration, and the 
gifts of thy bountiful providence, they may be pro- 
tected in body, soul and spirit, and presented fault- 
less before the presence of thy glory with exceeding 
joy ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



After tlie Marriage of any Member of the 

Family. 

O Lord God, who hast this day joined together 
thy servants in holy matrimony, be merciful unto 
them, and bless them ; that being more and more 
united to one another in thy dear Son, they may 
serve thee in all holy fear and love, and living 
together as heirs of the same grace, may become 
meet for the inheritance of the saints in glory. 
Grant this, O heavenly Father, for Jesus Christ's 
sake. Amen. 

At a Marriage Anniversary . 

Almighty God, who didst institute the holy estate 
of matrimony for the mutual help and comfort of 
thy children ; We thank thee that thou hast pre- 
served these thy servants to this hour. We praise 
thee for thy goodness to them in making their union 
one of love, peace and happiness, and that through 
thy grace they have been enabled to keep the vow 
and covenant betwixt them made. Protect them, we 
beseech thee, through the years to come, and multi- 
ply thy blessings upon them. May they abound in 
love, and bear together willingly the burdens of life. 
Encourage and sustain them in all godly living, and 
may their home continue to be a place of prayer, 
consecration and joy. Let thy benediction rest 
upon them to their life's end, and finally give them a 
joyful entrance into thy blessed kingdom ; through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



152 PRAYERS FOR THE HOME. 

After a Death in the Family . 

O God, who orderest all things in heaven and 
in earth, who hast been pleased in thy wise provi- 
dence to take out of this world the soul of our 
deceased brother, enable us to submit in faith and 
patience to this thy dispensation, and both to see and 
feel thy love and mercy in it. Teach us, O Lord, 
the shortness and uncertainty of human life, and so 
to remember our days that we may apply our hearts 
unto wisdom. Protect, sanctify, and guide us to 
the end, that, living in thy faith and fear, we may at 
last be gathered to thy saints in peace ; through 
him who died for us, Christ Jesus our Redeemer. 
Amen, 



For Resignation when Calamity Befalls a 

Family . 

O Lord God, good and gracious, whose mercy 
endureth for ever ; Give us now a surer trust in thee, 
and an- entire submission to thy divine will. Sup- 
port us under our present trial, and suffer us not to 
be dispirited and cast down by fears and anxieties 
about the future. If this trial is permitted to punish 
us for our past sins, to render us more humble, or to 
exercise our patience and trust in thee, make us sub- 
missive and content to bear it ; and grant that, 
setting our affections on things above and not on 
things on the earth, we may be enabled by thy grace 
to live a life of faith, of fortitude, and duty, and 
die in thy favor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 



PRAYERS FOR STATE AND NATION. 153 



Prayers for the State and 
nation. 

Prayers for the State. 



Save, O God, the State from evil and designing 
men, from corruption in social and political life, 
from crime, intemperance, dishonesty and every 
false way. Prosper every good purpose and over- 
turn every evil one, that thy Name may be honored ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Vouchsafe thy blessing, Almighty God, on this 
Commonwealth. Build it up, and sustain it in 
righteousness. Give the spirit of obedience to law 
to all our people. Protect our homes, secure us our 
liberties, strengthen us in religion and education, 
surround us with uplifting influences and make our 
State the abode of peace and prosperity. Commit 
the guidance of our affairs to the hands of the 
upright and conscientious, so that every virtue may 
flourish and the kingdom of thy Son be exalted ; 
through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

For the Governor of the State. 

Almighty God, by whom kings reign and princes 
decree justice, look with thy favor upon thy servant, 
the Governor of this Commonwealth. Endue him 
with thy Holy Spirit, and enrich him with thy heavenly 
grace. Dispose and turn his heart as it seemeth 
best to thy Godly wisdom, that he, knowing whose 
minister he is, may, above all things, seek thy honor 
and glory : Prosper him with all happiness, and 
bring him to thine everlasting kingdom ; through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

For the State Legislature . 

Almighty and everlasting God, Creator and Ruler 
of men ; We beseech thee to bless the members 
of the Legislature of this State, in all their consul- 
tations. Protect them from selfish interests and 
prejudices, and give them the spirit of true and wise 
statesmen. Guide them by thy heavenly counsel 
that their legislation may result in the maintenance 
of peace and prosperity, religion and justice. We 
ask it in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

For Rulers and People. 

O God, the Sovereign Lord and King, who hast 
given unto men the administration of government 



154 PRAYERS FOR STATE AND NATION. 

upon earth, we make our supplications unto thee, for 
all those who have that trust committed to their 
hands. Enable them, we pray thee, to fulfil the 
same to thy honor and the welfare of the nations 
among whom they rule. Especially we implore thy 
favor on thy servants, the President of the United 
States, the Governor of the State, and all who have 
the making or the executing of law in the land. 
Endue them with uprightness and wisdom, with 
firmness and clemency, remembering whose min- 
isters they are, and the account which they must 
render at thy throne. To the people of all ranks 
and conditions among us, give the spirit of obedience 
to government, and of contentment under its pro- 
tection, in leading peaceable and honest lives. Let 
the righteousness prevail which exalteth a nation, 
and, throughout our land, let the Name of thy Son 
be acknowledged as King of kings, and Lord of 
lords, to thy honor and glory, who art God over all, 
blessed for evermore. Amen. 

O Almighty Lord, who fashionest the hearts of 
men and considerest all their works ; Grant, we 
beseech thee, to us and to all the people of this land, 
the spirit of obedience to thy commandments ; that, 
walking humbly in thy fear, we may, under thy 
mighty protection, continue to dwell in righteous- 
ness and peace. Defend our liberties ; preserve our 
unity ; save us from lawlessness, dishonesty and 
violence ; from discord and confusion ; from pride 
and arrogance, and from every evil way. Continue 
thy goodness to us, that the heritage received from 
our fathers may be preserved in our time and trans- 
mitted, unimpaired, to the generations to come ; that 
all nations of the earth may know that thou, O Lord, 
art our Saviour and mighty Deliverer and our King 
forever. Grant this, we beseech thee, through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 



At the Raising of a Flag. 

O Almighty and everlasting God, King of kings 
and Lord of lords, who hast constituted the services 
of angels and men in a wonderful order, and having 
divided the human race into nations, appointed the 
archangel Michael prince over Judah, as guardian 
and protector, continue, we beseech thee, the favor 
thou hast ever shown to the United States of 
America, since thou hast made us a nation : and 
may the guardianship of thy most powerful angels 
secure to us the respect of the peoples of the earth. 
Bless the flag, now to be raised heavenward, that it 
may ever wave as the symbol of a nation exalted by 
righteousness. And forasmuch as righteousness can 
only come through the gift of the Holy Ghost sent 
down upon thy holy Catholic Church, on the day of 
Pentecost, which Church thou hast made the way of 
salvation, bless with abundant blessings the Church 
of America. May it, by the power of the Holy 
Ghost, walk answerably to its high calling and 
leaven the nation. Bless all who love our Lord 
Jesus Christ in sincerity and truth, and prosper the 
works undertaken by them for the welfare of the 



PRAYERS FOR STATE AND NATION. 155 

people. As we look up to the flag, may the blue of 
its union direct our thoughts to the higher blue of 
the sky, reminding us that heaven is our home, 
in which the righteous shall shine as the stars in the 
firmament. Hear us for the sake of Jesus Christ, 
our Lord, who livest and reignest with thee and the 
Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. 
Amen. 

In time of Civil Discord. 

O God, our refuge and strength, who orderest all 
things in heaven and earth, we flee to thee for succor 
in this our time of trouble. Look down with thy 
mercy on us. Remember not our iniquities, nor the 
iniquities of our forefathers, neither take thou 
vengeance of our sins. Deliver us, O Lord, from 
blood-guiltiness ; preserve us from open violence and 
secret conspiracy. Pour out upon us, and on all the 
people of this land, the spirit of grace and suppli- 
cation, and join us together in piety, loyalty, and 
brotherly love. Direct the counsels, and strengthen 
the hands of all in authority, for the repression 
of crime and outrage, the maintenance of order and 
law, and of public peace and safety ; so that leading 
quiet lives in all godliness and honesty, we may 
be thy people, and thou mayest vouchsafe to be our 
God ; and that we may bless and glorify thee, our 
Defender and mighty Deliverer, through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 



For tlie Army and Navy . 

Bless, O Lord, our soldiers and sailors, of what- 
ever rank or quality ; Grant that in the midst of 
every temptation which besets them they may fight 
manfully against the world, the flesh, and the devil ; 
and, resisting all evil by the spirit of thy ghostly 
strength, may acquire true courage in the victory of 
faith. Prosper them in the maintenance of our 
country's honor, and keep them safe from enemies 
spiritual and temporal, that they may glorify thee 
upon the earth until they are called to rest in the 
triumph of thy glory ; through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 



For the Reign of Peace. 

O Prince of Peace, govern in our hearts, dispelling 
all angry passions and ill-will, and all that is dis- 
cordant with the harmony of thy rule. Sway the 
nations of the earth. Put an end to their enmities 
and strifes. Hasten the time when they shall pre- 
pare for war no more, and rest secure in thine 
empire of peace, to the glory of thee, and of the 
Father, and of the Holy Ghost, world without end. 
Amen. 



1 56 PRAYERS FOR COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS. 



Prayers for Colleges, Schools 

and 

Charitable Institutions. 

* 
Prayers for Colleges and Schools. 



Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom, the true 
light which lighteth every man that cometh into the 
world ; We beseech thee, regard with thy favor and 
visit with thy blessing the colleges and schools in our 
land. Assist all who are guardians of their interests. 
Secure to them the means of their usefulness. En- 
due all those who are teachers with a serious sense 
of their charge, and wisdom and strength for its 
fulfilment. Bless the students with health ; make 
them to be diligent and faithful in study. Guard 
their inexperience, and carry them safely through 
all temptations. Teach them how to cleanse their 
path so as to keep it according to thy Word. Inspire 
them with high hopes and worthy purposes, and so 
prepare them to fulfil their course with honor, 
fidelity and success in this life, that they may attain 
the glorious destiny to which thou dost call them in 
the life to come ; through the redemption that is in 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Bless, O Lord, this college, and grant that every 
one therein may perceive and know what things he 
ought to do, and also may have strength and power 
faithfully to perform the same. Give wisdom unto 
those who administer its government and discipline, 
and to all those who impart instruction, as also to all 
the students, according to their duties and the 
necessities of their youth. And grant that by thy 
special favor, on which we humbly depend, this 
college may be enriched with all temporal and 
spiritual good, to the great increase and welfare of 
thy holy Apostolic Church, and to the glory of thy 
holy Name ; through Jesus Christ our blessed 
Saviour and Redeemer. Amen. 



For Founders and Benefactors. 

Blessed be thy Name, O Lord, for the happy 
memory of the founders and benefactors of this 
College, and for all who befriend it by their labors 
and their prayers. Raise up many helpers to en- 
large and adorn it, granting unto them that wisdom 
through which an house is builded and the under- 
standing by which it is established ; that so by 
knowledge its chambers may be filled with all 
precious and pleasant riches. For the silver and 



PRAYERS FOR COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS. 157 

the gold are thine, O Lord our God, and all things 
come of thee ; therefore unto thee we look for all 
that we desire ; as for all thou hast done for us, we 
praise and bless thy glorious Name ; through Jesus 
Christ, our Strength and our Redeemer. Amen. 

Daily Prayer for a School. 

O God, who knowest that we are not able to be- 
lieve or do what is right without thy special grace ; 
Bless, we pray thee, our work in this school to-day ; 
keep far from us all pride and covetousness, lust and 
anger-, envy, impatience, discontent and idleness. 
Grant that those who teach may do it with earnest- 
ness and patience, as in thy sight, and for thy sake ; 
and give to all thy children an humble and teachable 
spirit, that each in his appointed state, may learn 
more and more to love and serve thee, and finally, 
through that knowledge, may come to everlasting 
life ; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. 

For past Members of a School. 

Bless, O Lord, all who have ever belonged to this 
school, and who yet survive ; and make precious 
unto us the good examples of such as have departed 
this life in thy faith and fear, that with them we 
may be partakers of thy heavenly kingdom. All 
which we beg through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

For Students in Divinity . 

O Lord Jesus Christ, bless, we beseech thee, all 
those who are preparing for the work of the ministry 
in thy holy Church. Give them that wisdom which 
cometh from above, and that gentleness which be- 
cometh the gospel of peace. Make them to be 
diligent in the study of thy Word, and teach them by 
thy Spirit that they may be enabled to teach others. 
Take from them the spirit of worldliness, and give 
them grace, that they may cultivate that holiness of 
life, which is required of those who bear the vessels 
of the Lord. May they be instant in season and out 
of season, willing to spend and be spent, in the great 
work to which they are called, and may they do all 
things to thy glory, who, with the Father and the 
Holy Ghost, art one God, world without end. Amen. 



For Medical Students. 

Almighty Lord, who hast made our bodies to 
be the temples of the Holy Ghost ; Give, we pray 
thee, to all those who are engaged in the study of 
man's physical nature, that reverence for thee and 
for thy works which will lead them to love and adore 
thy Name. When called to minister to the suffering 
may they by their godly example influence the souls 
as well as the bodies of the sick. While they seek 
to heal others, may they also be healed of every 
spiritual ill ; through the great Physician of souls, 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



158 PRAYERS FOR COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS. 

For Reformatory Schools. 

Deliver, O most merciful God, those little ones of 
thy flock who, whether through the neglect of their 
parents or the stubbornness of their own evil nature, 
have fallen into manifest sin. Remember not the 
offences of their youth, but set them free from the 
snare of the enemy. Prosper with the help of thy 
Holy Spirit the endeavors of all who are seeking 
to train them for good. Grant that, following after 
humility, and being made partakers of thy heavenly- 
wisdom, they may be strengthened to the perform- 
ance of thy will, and sheltered evermore by thy 
fatherly protection, so that in the joy of thy presence 
they may be restored as true penitents to the perfect 
fellowship of thy saints ; through Jesus Christ oar 
Lord. Amen. 

For an Hospital. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, the great and only Physician 
of the soul and the body ; Send thy blessing upon 
the inmates of this institution who are suffering from 
sickness. Give them sorrow for sin and an humble 
dependence upon thy mercy, and grant that their 
afflictions may quicken their faith and love. If it 
be thy will, restore them to health and usefulness, 
that they may praise thee for thy goodness during 
the residue of their days. If in thy wisdom, thou 
hast appointed otherwise, give them a resigned will 
and a peaceful heart, that they may commit them- 
selves to thy keeping, thou merciful Judge of the 
quick and dead ; to whom, with the Father and the 
Holy Ghost, be all the glory, world without end. 
Amen. 

For an Home for Orphan and Destitute 
Children . 

O Almighty God, the Father of the fatherless, and 
the Friend of the friendless ; We commend to thy 
protection the inmates of this Home, and all who 
pray, or give, or labor to help its loving work. Bless 
the children, and give them an heart ever thankful, a 
mind ever teachable, and a will always obedient to 
thee and to those whom thou hast in thy love placed 
over them. Keep them in health and strength ; be 
with them in their studies, tasks and plays. Protect 
them under thy wing from every assault and temp- 
tation of the devil. Let thy Holy Spirit be with 
them and teach them more and more to renounce all 
the sinful desires of their hearts, to believe all the 
articles of the Christian faith, and obediently to 
keep thy holy will and commandments. May they 
be so truly children of God, and members of Christ, 
that they fail not finally to inherit thine everlasting 
kingdom. All which we ask for Jesus Christ's sake. 
Amen. 

For the Insane. 

O Lord, whose ways are past finding out ; We 
pray thee of- thy great goodness to look upon these 



PRAYERS FOR SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES. 159 

thy servants whom thou hast afflicted with weakness 
and darkness of mind ; grant unto them to be 
strengthened and enlightened with thy spirit in the 
inner man, that they to whom thou hast denied 
earthly wisdom may be filled with that knowledge of 
thee which passeth all understanding ; through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 



For the Deaf and Dumb. 

O God, our heavenly Father, whose dearly be- 
loved Son Jesus Christ, when he dwelt on earth, 
went about doing good, unstopping the ears of the 
deaf, and loosening the tongues of the dumb ; Look 
down with loving eyes upon all thy deaf and mute 
children, and give them the special blessing of thy 
mercy and grace. Let thy Fatherly hand ever be 
over them, let thy Holy Spirit ever be with them ; 
so that they may learn the truth as it is in Jesus, 
and believe in and rest upon him as the Saviour of 
their souls, and find in him that joy and peace which 
the Holy Ghost alone can* bestow. Be with them, 
we beseech thee, in all the trials and duties and 
dangers of this life, and may they so live in thy fear 
and love here, that in the world to come they may 
ever, with open ears and loving tongues, show forth 
thy praise in thy heavenly kingdom. Hear us, O 
Lord God, through thy Son Jesus Christ, to whom, 
with thee, O Father, and thee, O Holy Ghost, be all 
honor and glory, now and forever. Amen. 



For the Blind. 

O God, who hast sent thy Son to be the true Light 
of the world ; Grant that they who cannot see the 
things of the world may be the more fully en- 
lightened and comforted by his inward guidance. 
Cheer them in their blindness with thy heavenly 
manifestations. Show thyself to such as know thee 
not, and grant that they may thankfully accept the 
loss of earthly sight, as the means ordained of thee 
for bringing their hearts to the contemplation of their 
own misery and of thy holiness. Quicken those who 
know thee by faith to a deeper intuition of thy 
purity, that, beholding thee with increasing love, 
they may become the more conformed to thine 
image, until they behold thee as thou art, and awake 
to the full revelation of thy glory ; through the same 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



For an Home for the Aged. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, the strength of all that put 
their trust in thee ; Vouchsafe unto these thy ser- 
vants increase of spiritual might as their bodily 
vigor faileth, and grant that as their eyes become 
dim, and their ears dull to earthly things, their 
affections may be the more set on things above ; 
through thy mercy, who liveth and reigneth with the 
Father and the Holy Ghost one God, world without 
end. Amen. 



160 PRAYERS RELATING TO SOCTAL SUBJECTS. 



Prayers Relating to Social 
Subjects. 

Prayers for the Employer and the 
Employed. 



O God, merciful and just , We humbly beseech 
thee to sanctify the hearts of those who are in 
positions of authority and influence, that they may 
act justly toward all who are in their employ. Keep 
them from the spirit of oppression and wrong, and 
from forgetfulness of others. Help them to be 
tender-hearted to the suffering, liberal to the needy, 
and in all their dealings considerate and humane. 
Incline them rightly to use the influence thou hast 
given them, that at last they may give an account 
of their stewardship with joy and thankfulness; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Almighty God, who hast made toil honorable 
among all men ; We pray thee to bestow thy blessing 
upon those classes in the community who are en- 
gaged in the industries of life. Rectify whatever 
may be oppressive and unjust in their lot, and give 
them patience and contentment. Deliver them from 
rebellion and violence, and dispose them and their 
employers to peaceful measures that shall result 
in mutual concessions for their common interests. 
Hear us for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 



PRAYERS FOR HARMONY. 161 



Prayers for tbe fiarmony of 
Revelation and Science. 

Prayers for Explorations in Ancient 
Lands. 



Almighty God, who of old didst create the heavens 
and the earth, and breathed into man the breath of 
life ; Inspire us, we beseech thee, in all our studies of 
nature and of man, to behold the harmony between 
Revelation and Science, and to hold fast to faith in 
thee, and to accept the blessed hope of immortality 
taught us in thy holy Word, through the resurrection 
of Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Advocate and Redeemer. 
Amen. 

Almighty Source of all knowledge ; Bless in larger 
measure every effort made to obtain a knowledge of 
truth through explorations in ancient lands, and 
in particular may Egypt, Assyria and Palestine 
yield more and more their hidden treasures, to the 
confirmation of the sacred Scriptures and the 
advancement of thy kingdom of righteousness on the 
earth; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord. 
Amen. 

Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, unto thy 
servants in distant lands, who engage in research and 
exploration for the truth's sake, and unto all who 
labor in the cause, the spirit to think and to do those 
things which are pleasing in thy sight ; through 
Jesus Christ, to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost 
be ascribed all honor and glory for ever and ever. 
Amen. 

Almighty God, who openest thine hand and fillest 
all things living with plenteousness, so fill our hearts 
with gratitude for the discoveries of our age, which 
shed precious light on the Bible and the history 
of man, that we may open our hands liberally to 
support the societies engaged in the work. Grant 
this, O bountiful Giver of every good and perfect 
gift, through thy blessed Son, our Saviour Jesus 
Christ. Amen. 



162 PRAYERS FOR GRACES AND VIRTUES. 

Prayers for Graces ana 
Uirtues* 

m 
Prayers for Purity. 



O God, whose blessed Son took upon him our flesh, 
and yet lived in this world without sin, leaving us an 
example that we 'should follow in his steps; Grant 
that we may be conformed more and more to his 
image. May thy Holy Spirit sanctify our hearts 
and minds, that we may be cleansed from the defile- 
ments of the world, and the lusts of the flesh. For 
Jesus Christ's sake give us grace that we purify our- 
selves even as he is pure, and thus attain to that 
holiness without which no man shall see the Lord. 
Answer thou our prayer, O merciful and gracious 
Father, for the love of thy dear Son Jesus Christ our 
Advocate and Redeemer. Amen. 

O Almighty God, who hast taught us that our 
bodies are the temples of the Holy Ghost who dwells 
in our hearts ; Give us grace to flee from all im- 
purity of mind and body. Let the hope of heaven 
and the joys of eternity withdraw our hearts from 
all unholy thoughts ; that we may enjoy that peace 
which is the fruit of holiness here, and hereafter 
receive the full reward of the pure in heart, and see 
thee, O blessed Lord, for ever and ever ; for the 
sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, who hast declared that when 
we have done all that is commanded us we are still 
unprofitable servants ; Give us grace so to fix our eyes 
on thy most pure and holy life, that we may know 
our own impurity and sin, and seek in all humility 
to be conformed unto thy will ; who livest and reign- 
est with the Father and the Holy Ghost one God, 
world without end. Amen. 

Kindle our hearts, O Lord, with the fire of thy 
Holy Spirit, that we may serve thee with chaste 
bodies, and please thee with pure souls ; through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O God, who art of purer eyes than to behold 
iniquity, mercifully grant unto us such a sense of 
sin that we may receive cleansing, and such cleansing 
that we may be made pure in heart, and may see 
thee for evermore ; through our Saviour Jesus 
Christ. Amen. 

O Lord, our God, who hast commanded us to 
speak righteousness, and to judge uprightly; Grant 
that iniquity may not be found in our mouths, nor 
wickedness in our minds, but that, from pure hearts, 
we may speak those things that are right ; through 
Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. 



PRAYERS FOR GRACES AND VIRTUES. 163 

Prayers for Reverence of God's Name. 

Almighty God and heavenly Father, who hast 
given thy people commandment that they should 
not take thy Name in vain ; Have mercy upon us 
and incline our hearts to keep this law. Save 
us from all carelessness and irreverence in thy holy 
temple, from all angry condemnation of our fellow- 
men, and from all thoughtless and trifling ex- 
pressions. Help us so to use the precious gift of 
speech that our words may be always acceptable in 
thy sight ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O Almighty and all-loving Father ; Fill us with so 
deep a sense of thy goodness in creating, redeem- 
ing and preserving us, that we may never use thy 
holy Name except in devout supplication, joyful 
adoration and pious instruction. Grant us the spirit 
of the blessed angels who continually cry "Holy, 
Holy, Holy," before thee. Help us in our trials 
and vexations to keep before us the example of thy 
blessed Son, who glorified thy Name in dire anguish, 
and not to soil our Christian profession with evil 
words. Give us the loving spirit of dutiful children, 
and grant that our lips may be opened by thy Holy 
Spirit to show forth thy praise on earth, so that they 
may be trained here to glorify and praise thee in 
eternity. This we ask for Christ's sake. Amen. 

O God, our heavenly Father, who hast magnified 
thy Name and thy Word above all things ; Imprint 
upon our hearts such a sense of thy majesty, and 
such a reverence for thy holy Name that we may 
never take it lightly or carelessly upon our lips. 
Set a watch before our mouth and keep the door of 
our lips, that we may always speak soberly and 
thoughtfully. Let our yea be yea, and our nay, 
nay, remembering that whatsoever is more than these 
cometh of evil. Pardon us for all our sins of the 
tongue in time past, and do thou so open our lips 
through all the time to come that our mouth shall 
show forth thy praise ; through Jesus Christ our 
Lord, Amen. 



Prayers for Reverence of the Lord's 
Day. 

O God, who in thine infinite wisdom didst appoint 
one day in seven as a day of rest, and who by 
the glorious resurrection of thy Son didst consecrate 
to thyseJf for all time the first day of the week ; Give 
us grace that we may sacredly regard it as thine own 
day. During its holy hours separate our minds from 
worldly things, and help us to fix them upon themes 
belonging to eternal life, that we may be given such 
strength as shall fit us for the faithful discharge 
of the duties of the week. Grant, O Father, that 
each returning Lord's Day may be to us an earnest 
of that eternal rest which remaineth for thy people in 
heaven ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



164 PRAYERS FOR GRACES AND VIRTUES. 

Almighty God, the source of all wisdom and good- 
ness ; We thank thee that thou hast consecrated this 
day to thy service and commanded us to keep it holy. 
For thy glory and our good, help us faithfully to 
observe this command. Have mercy upon the care- 
less and indifferent, the neglectful and hardened, 
whose feet are not turned toward thy holy House. 
Deliver our land, we pray thee, from worldly and 
wicked men, who mock at sacred things, and profane 
thy holy day, to the dishonor of thy Name and the 
great peril of souls. Increase the number of those 
who delight in keeping thy commandments, who seek 
thy courts, who rejoice in the sound of the gospel, 
who reverence thy Sacraments and who look forward 
to the eternal rest of thy kingdom. Hear us for the 
sake of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



Prayers for Temperance. 



Almighty God, who didst make man in thine own 
image, and afterwards didst sanctify our human 
nature by the incarnation of thy Son ; Give us grace 
to resist all those sinful lusts whereby that which 
thou hast made and sanctified may be defiled. Send 
thy blessing in particular, we pray thee, upon the 
Church Temperance Society, that by its means 
many may be brought back from the ways of sin, 
and that all its members, living in mutual help and 
sympathy, may grow in holiness both of soul and 
body, until they come to thy perfect likeness ; 
through the mediation of thy Son Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

Deliver our land, we beseech thee, O Lord, from 
the crying sin of drunkenness, whereby it is so 
grievously defiled, and grant that they who indulge 
in excess of drink may have grace to check them- 
selves ere they have lost the power of self-control, 
and finding the unsatisfying nature of all earthly 
excitement, may come to hunger and thirst after 
righteousness, and attain to salvation ; through Jesus 
Christ our Mediator and Advocate. Amen. 

We beseech thee, O Lord, to renew thy people 
inwardly and outwardly, that as thou wouldest not 
have them to be hindered by bodily pleasures, thou 
mayest make them vigorous with spiritual purpose. 
Protect them, O Lord, in the time of temptation, 
support their weakness, and wash away their earthly 
stains ; and while they walk amid the darkness of 
this mortal life, do thou ever quicken them by thy 
light ; deliver them in thy mercy from all evils, and 
grant them to attain the height of good; through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



PRAYERS FOR GRACES AND VIRTUES. 165 



Look down from heaven, O Christ, upon the 
lambs of thy flock, and bless their bodies and souls. 
Grant that we who have received thy sign in our 
foreheads, may keep our bodies in temperance, 
soberness and chastity, and be found thine own 
in the day of judgment, who, with the Father and 
the Holy Ghost, art one God, for ever and ever. 
Amen. 



* 



Special thanksgivings. 

Harvest Thanksgiving. 



Most gracious God, by whose knowledge the 
depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the 
dew ; We yield thee unfeigned thanks and praise, as 
for all thy mercies, so especially for the returns of 
seed-time and harvest, and for crowning the year 
with thy goodness, in the increase of the ground, and 
the gathering in of the fruits thereof. And, we 
beseech thee, give us a just sense of this great 
mercy ; such as may appear in our lives, by an 
humble, holy and obedient walking before thee all 
our days ; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, 
with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all glory and 
honor, world without end Amen. 

O most merciful Father, who hast blessed the 
labors of the husbandman in the returns of the fruits 
of the earth ; We give thee humble and hearty 
thanks for this thy bounty ; beseeching thee to con- 
tinue thy loving-kindness to us ; that our land may 
still yield her increase, to thy glory and our comfort ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Grant us, O Lord, so to bless thee with grateful 
hearts for the bounty of thine earthly harvest, that 
filled with thy love we may bring forth fruit to thee 
a hundredfold in this life, and in that harvest where 
the angels are the reapers we may be gathered as 
wheat into thy garner; through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 



For a Recovery from Sickness. 

O God, who art the giver of life, of health, and of 
safety ; We bless thy Name, that thou hast been 
pleased to deliver from his bodily sickness this thy 



166 SPECIAL THANKSGIVINGS. 



servant, who now desireth to return thanks unto thee, 
in the presence of all thy people. Gracious art thou, 
O Lord, and full of compassion to the children of 
men. May his heart be duly impressed with a sense 
of thy merciful goodness, and may he devote the 
residue of his days to an humble, holy and obedient 
walking before thee ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 



For a Child' s Recovery from Sickness. 

Almighty God and heavenly Father, we give thee 
humble thanks for that thou hast been graciously 
pleased to deliver from his bodily sickness the child 
in whose behalf we bless and praise thy Name, in 
the presence of all thy people. Grant, we beseech 
thee, O gracious Father, that he, through thy help, 
may both faithfully live in this world according 
to thy will, and also may be partaker of everlasting 
glory in the life to come ; through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 



For a Safe Return from Sea. 

Most gracious Lord, whose mercy is over all 
thy works ; We praise thy holy Name that thou hast 
been pleased to conduct in safety, through the perils 
of the great deep, this thy servant, who now desireth 
to return his thanks unto thee in thy holy Church. 
May he be duly sensible of thy merciful providence 
towards him, and ever express his thankfulness by a 
holy trust in thee, and obedience to thy laws ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



For Peace and Deliverance from our 
Enemies. 

O Almighty God, who art a strong tower of 
defence unto thy servants against the face of their 
enemies ; We yield thee praise and thanksgiving for 
our deliverance from those great and apparent 
dangers wherewith we were compassed. We ac- 
knowledge it thy goodness that we were not delivered 
over as a prey unto them ; beseeching thee still 
to continue such thy mercies towards us, that all the 
world may know that thou art our Saviour and 
mighty Deliverer ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

For Restoring Public Peace at Home. 

O eternal God, our heavenly Father, who alone 
makest men to be of one mind in a house, and stillest 
the outrage of a violent and unruly people ; We bless 
thy holy Name, that it hath pleased thee to appease 
the seditious tumults which have been lately raised 
up amongst us ; most humbly beseeching thee to 
grant to all of us grace, that we may henceforth 
obediently walk in thy holy commandments ; and, 
leading a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness 



SPECIAL THANKSGIVINGS. 167 

and honesty, may continually offer unto thee our 
sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving for these thy 
mercies toward us ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

For Deliverance from great Sickness and 
Mortality. 

O Lord God, who hast wounded us for our sins, 
and consumed us for our transgressions, by thy late 
heavy and dreadful visitation ; and now, in the midst 
of judgment remembering mercy, hast redeemed our 
souls from the jaws of death ; We offer unto thy 
fatherly goodness ourselves, our souls and bodies 
which thou hast delivered, to be a living sacrifice 
unto thee, always praising and magnifying thy 
mercies in the midst of thy Church ; through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 



After Child-birth. 

O Almighty God, we give thee humble thanks for 
that thou hast been graciously pleased to preserve, 
through the great pain and peril of child-birth, this 
zoo/nan, thy servant, who desireth now to offer her 
praises and thanksgivings unto thee. Grant, we 
beseech thee, most merciful Father, that she, through 
thy help, may both faithfully live and walk according 
to thy will in this life present, and also may be 
partaker of everlasting glory in the life to come ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



For an Escape from Special Peril. 

O Lord God, in whose hand is the life of every 
thing, and the breath of all mankind ; We magnify 
thy goodness in that thou hast been pleased to save 
from deadly hurt thy servant, who now desireth [or, 
for whom we desire] to offer thee the sacrifice of 
praise and thanksgiving. Give him grace, we hum- 
bly beseech thee, worthily to spend in thy service the 
days which thou hast so mercifully prolonged, that 
henceforth dwelling always under thy protection he 
may abide in thy love unto his life's end ; through 
Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen. 



For a Minister s Recovery from Sickness. 

• 

O Lord our God, who alone bringest down to the 
grave and bringest up again ; We give thee thanks 
and praise for restoring to health thy servant who is 
set over us in the Lord. Give unto him, we beseech 
thee, fresh and enlarged measures of thy Holy Spirit, 
that he may labor among us in the fulness of the 
blessing of the gospel of Christ. Unto us give more 
grace to value and to improve our spiritual privi- 
leges. While the day of salvation lasts, let none of 
us receive thy grace in vain, but learn to-day, while 
it is called to-day, more and more to obey thy gospel, 



168 SPECIAL THANKSGIVINGS 

and to walk in all thy commandments and ordi- 
nances blameless; through Jesus Christ our Re- 
deemer. Amen. 

A General Thanksgiving . 

O God, of whose mercy there is no end, and the 
treasure of whose bounty is infinite ; We give thanks 
to thy divine Majesty for the gifts of thy loving- 
kindness, humbly beseeching thee that the praise 
and thanksgiving which we begin here on earth 
we may, with all thy ransomed saints, continue in 
heaven ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



* 



Prayers for tbe Beginning and 
tbe ending of (be year. 

Prayers for New Year's Day. 



Almighty God, give us grace, we beseech thee, to 
run the race which thou hast set before us. Deliver 
us from the sin and folly of an aimless life. Enable 
us to set Christ Jesus before us as our object 
and our hope, our example and our guide. Quicken 
us by the Holy Spirit to greater energy and earnest- 
ness in our Christian course. Grant that, day by 
day, and year by year, the world may loose its hold 
upon our hearts, and that we may be found pressing 
forward to our home above. May the year upon 
which we have now entered find us making progress 
in divine things ; and, whether we see the end of it 
or not, enable us to use it as a help to heaven and to 
thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Most merciful God, who hast graciously preserved 
us during the year which is past ; Help us, we 
entreat thee, to serve thee henceforth with all our 
heart and mind and soul and strength ; watch over 
us with thy divine providence ; and, whether we 
live or whether we die, may we evermore be thine ; 
through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. 

O God, whose days are without beginning and 
without end ; Grant us, we humbly pray thee, 
throughout this year whose beginning we dedicate to 
thee, such prosperity as thou seest to be good for us, 



BEGINNING AND ENDING OF THE YEAR. 169 

• 

and make us to abound in such works as may be 
pleasing unto thee. Renew in us, we humbly pray 
thee, the gifts of thy mercy, increase our faith, 
strengthen our hope, enlighten our understanding, 
enlarge our charity, and make us ever ready to 
serve thee, both in body and soul ; through Jesus 
Christ thy Son, our Lord. Amen. 



Prayers for the Last Day 
of the Year. 



Most gracious God, we thank thee that in thy 
great mercy thou hast kept us to the close of another 
year. We are brought thereby so much nearer to 
the end. Grant that it may bring us nearer to thee. 
We dare not venture into another year of our 
pilgrimage without thy presence and thy blessing. 
Give us grace to run in the way of thy command- 
ments. Help us to live to thee ; help us to labor for 
thee. Be thou our portion and our inheritance. 
Grant that we may stand complete in thee now 
through thy beloved Son, and finally be admitted to 
the kingdom of thy glory. All this we ask for Jesus 
Christ's sake. Amen. 

Heavenly Father, draw near to us now, we be- 
seech thee, and enable us to close this year with 
thee. Mercifully forgive all our sins and short- 
comings in the past and graciously strengthen us 
with thy Holy Spirit for the time to come. Abide 
with us as our teacher, our guide, our friend. Show 
thyself unto us in all thy grace. Cause our hearts to 
burn within us as we hear thy loving voice. Be 
with us when the shadows of life's evening are 
closing around us, and finally bring us to abide with 
thee for ever, for the sake of thy dear Son Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 



170 COLLECTS OF THE CHRISTIAN YEAR. 



Collects of tbc Christian year. 

Collects from the Book of Common 

Prayer, with Others Selected, 

Adapted or Contributed. 

The First Sim day in Advent. 

Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast 
away the works of darkness, and put upon us the 
armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in 
which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great 
humility ; that in the last day, when he shall come 
again in his glorious majesty to judge both the quick 
and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal, 
through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and 
the Holy Ghost, now and ever. Amen. 

Mercifully hear, O Lord, the prayers of thy 
people ; that as they rejoice in the Advent of thine 
only begotten Son according to the flesh, so when he 
cometh a second time in his majesty, they may 
receive the reward of eternal life ; through the same 
Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with 
thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world with- 
out end. Amen. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, who at the first coming of 
thy glory didst humble thyself because of our sins ; 
Grant that at thy second coming, our sins done 
away by thy mercy, we may be numbered with thy 
saints in glory everlasting ; through thy merits, O 
blessed Saviour, who, with the Father and the Holy 
Ghost, livest and reignest, ever one God, world 
without end. Amen. 



The Second Sunday in Advent. 

Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures 
to be written for our learning ; Grant that we may in 
such wise hear them, read, mark, learn and inwardly 
digest them, that by patience and comfort of thy 
holy Word, we may embrace, and ever hold fast, the 
blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast 
given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. 

Enlighten our minds, we beseech thee, O God, by 
the Spirit which proceedeth from thee ; that as thy 
Son hath promised, we may be led into all truth. 
We ask it through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, whose prop- 
erty it is always to have mercy ; We most earnestly 
beseech thee to visit with thy fatherly correction all 



COLLECTS OF THE CHRISTIAN YEAR. 171 

such as have erred and gone astray from the truth of 
thy holy Word, and to bring them to a due sense of 
their error, that they may again with hearty faith 
receive and hold fast thine unchangeable truth ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

The Third Sunday in Advent. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, who at thy first coming didst 
send thy messenger to prepare thy way before thee ; 
Grant that the ministers and stewards of thy mys- 
teries may likewise so prepare and make ready 
thy way, by turning the hearts of the disobedient to 
the wisdom of the just, that at thy second coming to 
judge the world we may be found an acceptable 
people in thy sight, who livest and reignest with the 
Father and the Holy Spirit ever, one God, world 
without end. Amen. 

Almighty God, we beseech thee to clothe thy 
ministers with righteousness and salvation, that thy 
Word which is in their hands may not return unto 
thee void, but have free course and be glorified 
in the world ; prospering in the thing whereunto 
thou hast sent it, and turning men from darkness to 
light and from the power of Satan unto thee, that 
they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance 
among those who are sanctified by faith that is in 
Christ Jesus ; to whom with thee and the Holy 
Ghost be honor and glory, world without end. 
Amen 

Blessed Saviour, who didst send thine Apostles to 
preach the gospel of reconciliation throughout the 
world ; Open our hearts to the gracious message, 
that through its power we may lead a life of holiness 
and true charity ; through thy mercy, Jesus Christ 
our Lord, who livest and reignest, Father, Son and 
Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen. 

Tlie Fourth Sunday in Advent. 

O Lord, raise up, we pray thee, thy power, and 
come among us, and with great might succor Us ; 
that whereas, through our sins and wickedness, 
we are sore let and hindered in running the race 
that is set before us, thy bountiful grace and mercy 
may speedily help and deliver us ; through the 
satisfaction of thy Son our Lord, to whom, with 
thee and the Holy Ghost, be honor and glory, world 
without end. Amen. 

Almighty God, we beseech thee to incline thine 
ear to our prayers, and visit the darkness of our 
minds with the Dayspring from on high ; that at the 
second coming of thy Son to judge the world, 
we may hasten with joy to meet him ; who liveth 
and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one 
God, world without end. Amen. 

Stir up our hearts, O God and Father, to make ready 
the way of thine only-begotten Son, so that by his 
coming we may be enabled to serve thee with pure 



172 COLLECTS OF THE CHRISTIAN YEAR. 

minds ; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, who 
liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, 
ever one God, world without end. Amen. 

Eve of the Nativity. 

O God, who hast made this most holy night to 
shine with the brightness of the true Light ; Grant, 
we beseech thee, that as we have known on earth the 
mysteries of that Light, we may also come to the 
fulness of its joys in heaven ; through the same 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

We beseech thee, Almighty God, let our souls be 
enlightened by thy Spirit, that being filled as lamps, 
by the divine gift, we may shine as blazing lights 
in the day of the Saviour's coming and enter 
with him into his everlasting kingdom ; through 
the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

The Nativity of our Lord, or the Birthday of 
Christ, commonly called Christmas-day . 

Almighty God, who hast given us thine only- 
begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and 
as at this time to be born of a pure virgin ; Grant 
that we being regenerate, and made thy children by 
adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by thy 
Holy Spirit ; through the same our Lord Jesus 
Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the 
same Spirit ever, one God, world without end. 
Amen. 

O God, who makest us glad with the yearly 
remembrance of the birth of thine only Son Jesus 
Christ ; Grant that as we joyfully receive him for 
our Redeemer, so we may with sure confidence 
behold him when he shall come to be our Judge, 
who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy 
Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen. 

Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that we 
who are filled with the new light of thy incarnate 
Word, may show forth in our works that faith which 
shineth in our minds ; through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

O God, who by angelic choirs wast pleased to 
announce the coming of thy Son, our Lord Jesus 
Christ, and didst, by the heralding of angels, pro- 
claim, Glory to God on high, and on earth peace, 
good-will toward men ; Grant that we may so pass 
our time here in thy love and fear, that at thy Son's 
second coming we may rejoice before him with 
exceeding joy ; through thy mercy, O our God, who 
art blessed, and dost live, and govern all things, 
world without end. Amen. 

Saint Stephen 's Day. 

Grant, O Lord, that, in all our sufferings here 
upon earth for the testimony of thy truth, we 
may stedfastly look up to heaven, and by faith 



COLLECTS OF THE CHRISTIAN YEAR. 173 

behold the glory that shall be revealed ; and, being 
filled with the Holy Ghost, may learn to love and 
bless our persecutors by the example of thy first 
Martyr Saint Stephen, who prayed for his murderers 
to thee, O blessed Jesus, who standest at the right 
hand of God to succor all those who suffer for thee, 
our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, who didst give unto thy first 
Martyr, Saint Stephen, grace to follow thine ex- 
ample both in suffering and in patience ; Grant that, 
like him, in all our sufferings here for thee, we may 
not be terrified by our adversaries, but may pray for 
those who would do us harm to thee, O blessed 
Saviour, who, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, 
livest and reignest, ever one God, world without end. 
Amen. 



Saint John the Evangelist' s Day . 

Merciful Lord, we beseech thee to cast thy bright 
beams of light upon thy Church, that it, being 
instructed by the doctrine of thy blessed Apostle and 
Evangelist Saint John, may so walk in the light 
of thy truth, that it may at length attain to ever- 
lasting life ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, who didst have for thine 
Apostle Saint John a special love ; Grant us grace to 
love thee as truly as he loved, and make us to share 
in the love that thou hadst for him ; through thy 
mercy, O our God, who art blessed, and dost live, 
and govern all things, world without end. Amen. 



The Innocents* Day . 

O Almighty God, who out of the mouths of babes 
and sucklings hast ordained strength, and madest 
infants to glorify thee by their deaths ; Mortify and 
kill all vices in us, and so strengthen us by thy grace, 
that by the innocency of our lives, and constancy of 
our faith even unto death, we may glorify thy holy 
Name ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Grant us, heavenly Father, the spirit of little 
children, that our faith may not be obscured by 
doubts, nor our love weakened and corrupted by the 
temptations of the world. Hear us, we beseech 
thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



The Sunday after Christmas Day . 

Almighty God, who hast given us thine only- 
begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and 
as at this time to be born of a pure virgin ; Grant 
that we, being regenerate and made thy children by 
adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by thy 
Holy Spirit ; through the same our Lord Jesus 
Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the 
same Spirit ever, one God, world without end. 
Amen. 



174 COLLECTS OF THE CHRISTIAN YEAR. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord our God ; Give 
us grace, we pray thee, with adoring love to receive 
and hold fast the mystery of thy holy incarnation. 
Reveal this blessed truth to those who know it not: 
and let not Satan with all deceivableness of unright- 
eousness pervert our faith. Help us here, by the 
enlightening of thy most Holy Spirit, to discern thee 
hidden in thy blessed Sacrament ; hereafter, in thy 
kingdom of glory, to behold thy glory and greatness 
face to face ; and thy Name, with that of the Father 
and the Holy Spirit shall have all the praise and 
glory, world without end. Amen. 

Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that the 
new birth of thine only-begotten Son in the flesh, 
may set us free who are held in the old bondage 
under the yoke of sin ; through the same, thy Son 
our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the 
Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. 
Amen. 

The Circumcision of Christ. 

Almighty God, who madest thy blessed Son to be 
circumcised, and obedient to the law for man ; 
Grant us the true circumcision of the Spirit ; that, 
our hearts, and all our members, being mortified 
from all worldly and carnal lusts, we may in all 
things obey thy blessed will ; through the same thy 
Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O Jesus, our Saviour and our Lord, who, by the 
proclamation of thy grace, didst take from our necks 
the yoke of the law, and remove the burden from our 
shoulders to thine own ; Grant to the prayers of thy 
Church, that it may joyfully serve thee here, and be- 
hold thy blissful presence with fulness of joy here- 
after ; through thy mercy, O our God, who art 
blessed, and dost live, and govern all things, world 
without end. Amen. 

O eternal Jesus, who didst wear the crown of 
thorns and the purple robe, with which thy perse- 
cutors would mock thy heavenly majesty, may we 
ever adore, love and obey thee as the Lord of heaven 
and earth, and bow our knees at thy Name, as the 
only Name given among men whereby we may be 
saved. Grant this, through thy mercy, O our God, 
who art blessed, and livest and reignest, world with- 
out end. Amen. 



The Epiphany, or the Manifestation of 
Christ to the Gentiles. 

O God, who by the leading of a star didst manifest 
thine only-begotten Son to the Gentiles ; Mercifully 
grant that we, who know thee now by faith, may after 
this life have the fruition of thy glorious Godhead ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O God, our Protector, behold and look upon the 
face of thine anointed, who hath given himself for 
the redemption of all, and grant that from the rising 



COLLECTS OF THE CHRISTIAN YEAR. 175 

of the sun to the going down thereof, thy Name may 
be great among the Gentiles, and that in every place 
sacrifice and a pure offering may be made unto thy 
Name ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O God, who by the leading of a star didst manifest 
thyself in thy humanity to the Gentiles ; Graciously 
illumine our hearts by the holy radiance of thy 
incarnation, that so we may escape the darkness of 
this world, and by thy guidance attain to the country 
of eternal brightness ; through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 



The First Sunday after the Epiphany. 

O Lord, we beseech thee mercifully to receive the 
prayers o'f thy people who call upon thee ; and grant 
that they may both perceive and know what things 
they ought to do, and also may have grace and power 
faithfully to fulfil the same ; through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

Bestow, O Lord God, upon thy suppliant people the 
aids of thy heavenly grace ; that they may see plainly 
before them the path of duty and meekly walk in the 
same all the days of their life ; through Jesus Christ 
our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the 
Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. 
Amen. 

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who hast 
given us thy Son, that believing on him we might 
have everlasting life ; Grant us, we beseech thee, thy 
Holy Spirit, that we may continue stedfastly in this 
faith to the end, and may come to the life immortal ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



The Second Sunday after the Epiphany. 

Almighty and everlasting God, who dost govern all 
things in heaven and earth ; Mercifully hear the 
supplications of thy people, and grant us thy peace 
all the days of our life ; through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

O God, the Fountain of all truth and grace, who 
hast called us out of darkness into marvelous light, 
by the glorious gospel of thy Son ; Grant unto us 
power, we beseech thee, to walk worthy of this 
vocation, with all lowliness and meekness, endeavor- 
ing to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond 
of peace, that we may have our fruit unto holiness, 
and the end everlasting life ; through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

Hear, we beseech thee, O Lord, our God, the prayer 
of thy suppliants, and spare those who confess their 
sins unto thee, that thou mayest bestow upon us both 
pardon and peace ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 



176 COLLECTS OF THE CHRISTIAN YEAR. 



The Third Sunday after the Epiphany . 

Almighty and everlasting God, mercifully look 
upon our infirmities, and in all our dangers and 
necessities stretch forth thy right hand to help 
and defend us ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

O God, comforter of mourners, and salvation 
of them that hope in thee ; Grant us, truly to lament 
our sins, and to obtain thy gracious pardon ; through 
Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. 

We beseech thee, O God, in thy clemency, to 
show us thy unspeakable mere}*- ; that thou mayest 
both set us free from our sins, and rescue us from 
the punishments which for our sins we deserve ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



The Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany . 

O God, who knowest us to be set in the midst of so 
many and great dangers, that by reason of the 
frailty of our nature we cannot always stand upright ; 
Grant to us such strength and protection, as may 
support us in all dangers, and carry us through 
all temptations ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

O God, who justifieth the ungodly, and who 
desireth not the death of the sinner ; We humbly 
implore thy Majesty, that thou wouldest graciously 
assist, by thy heavenly aid, and evermore shield with 
thy protection, thy servants who trust in thy mercy, 
that they may be separated by no temptations from 
thee, and without ceasing, may serve thee ; through 
Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord. Amen. 

Grant unto us, heavenly Father, to have a true 
love of thy holy Name, so that, trusting in thy grace, 
we may fear no earthly evil, and set our hearts upon 
no earthly good, but may rejoice at last in thy full 
salvation ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



The Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany. 

O Lord, we beseech thee to keep thy Church and 
household continually in thy true religion ; that they 
who do lean only upon the hope of thy heavenly 
grace may evermore be defended by thy mighty 
power ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Grant, we beseech thee Almighty God, unto thy 
Church, thy Holy Spirit, and the wisdom which 
cometh down from above, that thy Word, as be- 
cometh it, may not be bound, but have free course 
and be preached to the joy and edifying of Christ's 
holy people, that in stedfast faith we may serve 
thee, and in the confession of thy Name abide unto 
the end ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O God, who art the Restorer and the Ruler of 
mankind ; Grant, we beseech thee, that thy Church 



COLLECTS OF THE CHRISTIAN YEAR. 177 

may ever be increased by a new offering, and grow 
up by the devotion of all the faithful, and the 
indwelling of the Spirit ; through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

The Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany . 

O God, whose blessed Son was manifested that he 
might destroy the works of the devil, and make 
us the sons of God, and heirs of eternal life ; Grant 
us, we beseech thee, that, having this hope, we may 
purify ourselves, even as he is pure ; that, when he 
shall appear again with power and great glory, 
we may be made like unto him, in his eternal and 
glorious kingdom ; where with thee, O Father, and 
thee, O Holy Ghost, he liveth and reigneth ever, 
one God, world without end. Amen. 

O eternal Father, convert our hearts unto thyself, 
so that by thy help, we being heartily devoted to thy 
service, no manner of good things may be lacking to 
us, through thy grace and truth. We ask all in the 
Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Visit us, we beseech thee, O God, and cleanse our 
consciences, that thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ, 
when he cometh with all his saints, may find in us a 
mansion prepared for himself ; through the same thy 
Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

The Sunday called Septuagesima, or the 
third Sunday before Lent. 

O Lord, we beseech thee favorably to hear the 
prayers of thy people ; that we, who are justly 
punished for our offences, may be mercifully de- 
livered by thy goodness, for the glory of thy Name ; 
through Jesus Christ our Saviour, who liveth and 
reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost ever, one 
God, world without end. Amen. 

O God, the life of the faithful, the joy of the 
righteous, mercifully receive the prayers of thy sup- 
pliants, that the souls which thirst for thy promises 
may evermore be filled from thine abundance, to 
the glory of thy holy Name ; through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

O God, whose mercy is over all thy works, and 
whose truth is light to those that mourn, and a 
deliverance to captives, and sight to the blind ; 
Grant to us all a free remission of our sins, and a 
portion among those who serve thee by faith, that 
they may behold thee in glory ; through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

The Sunday called Sexagesima, or the 
second Sunday before Lent. 

O Lord God, who seest that we put not our trust 
in any thing that we do ; Mercifully grant that 
by thy power we may be defended against all ad- 
versity ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



178 COLLECTS OF THE CHRISTIAN YEAR. 

Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that al- 
ways pressing onward in thy way with devout minds, 
we may escape the snares of the sins that beset us ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Look mercifully, O God, we beseech thee, on the 
afflicted of thy people, and let not our sins destroy 
us, but let thine almighty mercy save us ; through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

The Sunday called Quinquagesima , or the 
the next Sunday before Lent. 

O Lord, who hast taught us that all our doings 
without charity are nothing worth ; Send thy Holy 
Ghost, and pour into our hearts that most excellent 
gift of charity, the very bond of peace and of all 
virtues, without which whosoever liveth is counted 
dead before thee. Grant this for thine only Son 
Jesus Christ's sake. Amen. 

O God, who hast taught thy Church to keep all thy 
commandments by loving first the eternal God, and 
next our neighbor as ourself ; Grant us the spirit of 
peace and grace, that thine universal family may be 
both devoted to thee with their whole heart, and 
united to each other with a pure will; through thy 
Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O God, the Author of peace ; Grant, we beseech 
thee, that thy faithful people may be so held in the 
bonds of charity, that the peaceful may remain in 
peace, and that those who differ may be reconciled 
by thy mercy ; through Jesus Christ, thy Son, our 
Lord. Amen. 

The first day of Lent, commonly called 
Ash- Wednesday. 

Almighty and everlasting God. who hatest nothing 
that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all 
those who are penitent ; Create and make in us new 
and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our 
sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may 
obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect re- 
mission and forgiveness ; through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

Almighty and everlasting God, we beseech thee to 
cleanse away the folly of our hearts, and to purify us 
from our sins, both open and secret, that we may be 
able to serve thee with a pure mind, to the honor of 
thy holy Name ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

O God, who desirest not the death of a sinner, but 
rather that he should turn and live ; Look with pity 
upon the weakness of our mortal nature, and grant 
that we, who confess that we are but ashes, and that 
for our wickedness we must justly return to the dust, 
may obtain of thee the forgiveness of all our sins, 
and the blessings promised to the penitent ; through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



COLLECTS OF THE CHRISTIAN YEAR. 179 



The First Sunday in Lent. 

O Lord, who for our sake didst fast forty days and 
forty nights ; Give us grace to use such abstinence, 
that, our flesh being subdued to the Spirit, we may 
ever obey thy godly motions in righteousness, and 
true holiness, to thy honor and glory, who livest and 
reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one 
God, world without end. Amen. 

We beseech thee, O Lord, by the mystery of our 
Saviour's fasting and temptation, to arm us with the 
same mind that was in him toward all evil and sin, 
and give us grace to keep our bodies in such holy 
discipline, that our minds may be always ready to 
resist Satan, and obey the motions of thy Holy 
Spirit ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O God, whose blessed Son became obedient to the 
law for man, and underwent hunger and thirst 
in doing thy will, and fulfilling all righteousness ; 
Give us grace in all patience and temperance so 
to bear and to forbear, that our flesh being subdued 
to the Spirit, we may ever obey thy holy guidance 
and control, in all righteousness, purity and sober- 
ness. Grant this for the sake of thy Son Jesus 
Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy 
Ghost, be all the praise, world without end. Amen. 

Tlie Second Sunday in Lent. 

Almighty God, who seest that we have no power 
of ourselves to help ourselves ; Keep us both out- 
wardly in our bodies, and inwardly in our souls; 
that we may be defended from all adversities which 
may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts 
which may assault and hurt the soul ; through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O God, who hast vouchsafed to mankind the 
remedies that bring salvation, and the gifts of 
eternal life ; Preserve to us, thy servants, the gifts 
of thy power, and grant that not only in our bodies, 
but also in our souls, we may experience thy healing ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Grant, Almighty God, that our bodies may be 
healthful, and our souls pure, and give us remission 
of our sins through the sacrifice of thy Son, Jesus 
Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee 
and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. 
Amen. 

The Third Sunday in Lent. 

We beseech thee, Almighty God, look upon the 
hearty desires of thy humble servants, and stretch 
forth the right hand of thy Majesty, to be our 
defence against all our enemies ; through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Almighty God, who hast been the hope and confi- 
dence of thy people in all ages ; Mercifully regard, 
we beseech thee, our supplications, and in all the 



180 COLLECTS OF THE CHRISTIAN YEAR. 

issues of life, be unto us salvation and protection ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

We beseech thee, Almighty God, in thy loving 
kindness to set in order our life and conversation, 
that no adversaries may prevail against us, and no 
kind of spiritual good be wanting to us ; through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



The Fourth Sunday in Lent. 

Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that we, 
who for our evil deeds do worthily deserve to be 
punished, by the comfort of thy grace may merci- 
fully be relieved ; through our Lord and Saviour 
Jesus Christ. Amen. 

O Lord God, merciful and gracious, long suffering 
and abundant in goodness and truth ; Enter not into 
judgment with thy servants, we beseech thee, but be 
pleased of thy great goodness to grant, that we who 
are now righteously afflicted and bowed down by the 
sense of our sins, may be refreshed and lifted up 
with the joy of thy salvation ; through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

Hear us, O Lord our God, and separate the hearts 
of thy faithful people from the wickedness of the 
world, that they who call thee Lord with their own 
voice may not fall back into the service of any 
enemy of the soul. We ask all through him who 
loved us and gave himself for us, Jesus Christ thy 
Son our Lord. Amen. 



The Fifth Sunday in Lent. 

We beseech thee, Almighty God, mercifully to 
look upon thy people ; that by thy great goodness 
they may be governed and preserved evermore, both 
in body and soul ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

Merciful God and Father, make us, we beseech 
thee, obedient to thy holy commandments, so that 
we may present thee a complete consecration of 
body, soul and spirit ; through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen 

Renew us, O our God, day by day, that both 
inwardly and outwardly we may be made more and 
more like unto him who was the Son of man and the 
Son of God ; through the same Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 



The Sunday next before Easter. 

Almighty and everlasting God, who, of thy tender 
love toward mankind, hast sent thy Son, our 
Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon him our flesh, 
and to suffer death upon the cross, that all mankind 
should follow the example of his great humility ; 
Mercifully grant, that we may both follow the 



COLLECTS OF THE CHRISTIAN YEAR. 181 

example of his patience, and also be made partakers 
of his resurrection ; through the same Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

O God, whose blessed Son entered Jerusalem 
amid the plaudits and hosannas of the people, and a 
little later was reviled and rejected by men ; Give us 
grace, we beseech thee, not to place our trust in the 
applause of the world, but may our affections be 
fixed upon the things that shall endure forevermore 
at thy right hand; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

Grant, Almighty God, that amid the insincerity 
and fickleness of the world we may always exercise 
the spirit of humility and patience, following the 
example of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to 
whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all do- 
minion and power, world without end. Amen. 

Monday before Easter. 

Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that we, who 
amid so many adversities do fail through our own 
infirmities, may be restored through the passion and 
intercession of thine only-begotten Son ; who liveth 
and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one 
God, world without end. Amen. 

O holy and most merciful Saviour, thou most 
worthy Judge eternal, who, as on this day didst 
curse the fig tree bearing leaves and no fruit ; Take 
away from us all hollow, vain and false appearances, 
and make us plenteously to bring forth the fruit 
of good works, and of thee to be plenteously re- 
warded, through thy merits, who with the Father 
and the Holy Ghost livest and reignest, ever one 
God, world without end. Amen. 

Tuesday before Easter. 

Almighty and everlasting God, grant us grace so to 
pass through this holy time of our Lord's passion, 
that we may obtain the pardon of our sins ; through 
the same, thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with 
thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world with- 
out end. Amen. 

Blessed Jesus, who as on this day, didst endure 
such contradiction of sinners ; Grant to us, thy 
servants, not to wish to be above our Master, but 
to be as our Master, even like thee our only Lord 
and Saviour, to whom, with the Father and the 
Holy Ghost, be glory and dominion, world without 
end. Amen. 

Wednesday before Easter. 

Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that we, 
who for our evil deeds are continually afflicted, may 
mercifully be relieved by the passion of thine only- 
begotten Son, who liveth and reigneth with thee and 
the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. 
Amen. 



182 COLLECTS OF THE CHRISTIAN YEAR. 

Blessed Jesus, who as on this day wast sold into 
the hands of wicked men to redeem us from sin and 
death, root out of us the love of money, and make us 
content with such things as we have, through thy 
merits, who, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, 
livest and reignest, ever one God, world without end. 
Amen. 

Thursday before Easter. 

O God, who in this wonderful Sacrament hast left 
unto us a memorial of thy passion ; Grant to us, we 
beseech thee, so to venerate the sacred mysteries of 
thy Body and Blood, that we may always perceive in 
ourselves the fruit of thy redemption ; who livest 
and reignest with the Father in the unity of the 
Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen. 

Blessed Lord, who as on this day didst wash the 
feet of thy disciples, grant us, also, to be ready to 
wash one another's feet, and gladly to minister to our 
brethren with great humility and love. Hear us, O 
Saviour, who livest and reignest with the Father and 
the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. 
Amen. 

Good Friday . 

Almighty God, we beseech thee graciously to be- 
hold this thy family, for which our Lord Jesus 
Christ was contented to be betrayed, and given up 
into the hands of wicked men, and to suffer death 
upon the cross ; who now liveth and reigneth with 
thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world with- 
out end. Amen. 

Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the 
whole body of the. Church is governed and sanctified ; 
Receive our supplications and prayers, which we 
offer before thee for all estates of men in thy holy 
Church, that every member of the same, in his 
vocation and ministry, may truly and godly serve 
thee ; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 
Amen. 

O merciful God, who hast made all men, and 
hatest nothing that thou hast made, nor desirest the 
death of a sinner, but rather that he should be con- 
verted and live ; Have mercy upon all Jews, Turks, 
infidels and heretics ; and take from them all igno- 
rance, hardness of heart, and contempt of thy Word; 
and so fetch them home, blessed Lord, to thy flock, 
that they may be saved among the remnant of the 
true Israelites, and be made one fold under one 
shepherd, Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and 
reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, 
world without end. Amen. 

Almighty and everlasting God, who hast willed 
that thy Son should bear for us the pains of the 
cross, that thou mightest remove from us the power 
of the adversary ; Help us so to remember and give 
thanks for our Lord's passion that we may obtain 
remission of sin and redemption from everlasting 
death ; through the same, our Lord Jesus Christ. 
Amen. 



COLLECTS OF THE CHRISTIAN YEAR. 183 

O righteous and holy God, who hast manifested 
toward us thine unfathomable love, in not sparing 
thine own Son, but delivering him up for us all ; By 
the memory of his bitter death, by the awful mystery 
of his sorrows in the garden and upon the cross, we 
humbly beseech thee to have mercy upon us and 
upon all men, and to make known thy saving health 
among the nations, that he may see of the travail of 
his soul and be satisfied ; to whom, with thee and 
the Holy Ghost, be honor and glory, world without 
end. Amen. 

Easter- Even. 

Grant, O Lord, that as^we are baptized into the 
death of thy blessed Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, 
so by continual mortifying our corrupt affections we 
may be buried with him ; and that through the 
grave and gate of death, we may pass to our joyful 
resurrection ; for his merits, who died, and was 
buried, and rose again for us, thy Son Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

O God, who didst enlighten this most holy night 
with the glory of the Lord's resurrection ; Preserve 
in all thy people the spirit of adoption which thou 
hast given, so that renewed in body and soul they 
may perform unto thee a pure service ; through the 
same, our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reign- 
eth with thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, 
world without end. Amen. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, who didst, for our sins, 
endure the cross and the grave, and then didst, on 
the third day, rise again from the tomb ; Grant that 
we, who have been buried and raised again with 
thee in Baptism, and washed from all our iniquities, 
may by thy blood be continually cleansed from all 
spot of sin ; through thy mercy, O our God, who art 
blessed, and dost live, and govern all things, world 
without end. Amen. 



Easter- day . 

Almighty God, who through thine only-begotten 
Son Jesus Christ hast overcome death, and opened 
unto us the gate of everlasting life ; We humbly 
beseech thee that, as by thy special grace preventing 
us thou dost put into our minds good desires, so 
by thy continual help we may bring the same to good 
effect ; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth 
and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost ever, 
one God, world without end. Amen. 

O God, who for our redemption didst give thine 
only-begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by 
his glorious resurrection hast delivered us from the 
power of our enemy ; Grant us so to die daily from 
sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy 
of his resurrection ; through the same Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 



184 COLLECTS OF THE CHRISTIAN YEAR. 

Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that we 
who celebrate the Paschal Feast, kindled with 
heavenly desires, may ever thirst for the Fountain 
of Life, Jesus Christ thy Son, our Lord. Amen. 

Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that we 
who celebrate the solemnities of the Lord's resur- 
rection, may by the renewal of thy Holy Spirit rise 
again from the death of the soul ; through the same 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



Monday in Easter-week. 

Almighty God, who through thine only-begotten 
Son Jesus Christ hast overcome death, and opened 
unto us the gate of everlasting life ; We humbly 
beseech thee that, as by thy special grace preventing 
us thou dost put into our minds good desires, so by 
thy continual help we may bring the same to good 
effect ; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth 
and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost ever, one 
God, world without end. Amen. 

Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that we 
who commemorate the Lord's resurrection, may by 
the help of thy grace, bring forth the fruits thereof 
in our life and conversation ; through the same Jesus 
Christ, thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth 
with thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world 
without end. Amen. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, who wilt come again to judge 
the quick and the dead, and call forth all who sleep 
in their graves, either to the resurrection of life, or 
the resurrection of condemnation ; We beseech thee 
to be gracious to us, and to raise us up to life ever- 
lasting, that we may abide with thee forever ; who 
livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy 
Ghost, world without end. Amen. 



Tuesday in Easter-week. 

Almighty God, who through thine only-begotten 
Son Jesus Christ hast overcome death, and opened 
unto us the gate of everlasting life ; We humbly 
beseech thee that, as by thy special grace preventing 
us thou dost put into our minds good desires, so by 
thy continual help we may bring the same to good 
effect ; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth 
and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one 
God, world without end. Amen. 

Almighty and most merciful God, who hast ap- 
pointed us to endure suffering and death with our 
Lord Jesus Christ, before we enter with him into 
glory ; Grant us grace at all times to submit our- 
selves to thy holy will, to continue stedfast in the 
true faith unto the end, and to find peace and joy in 
the blessed hope of the resurrection of the dead, and 
the glory of the world to come ; through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 



COLLECTS OF THE CHRISTIAN YEAR. 185 

Almighty God, who by the humiliation of thy Son, 
didst raise up the fallen world ; Grant unto thy 
faithful ones perpetual gladness, and those whom 
thou hast delivered from the danger of everlasting 
death, do thou make partakers of eternal joys; 
through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth 
and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one 
God, world without end. Amen. 



The First Sunday after Easter. 

Almighty Father, who hast given thine only Son 
to die for our sins, and to rise again for our justifi- 
cation ; Grant us so to put away the leaven of malice 
and wickedness, that we may always serve thee in 
pureness of living and truth ; through the merits 
of the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Grant, Almighty God, that the power of the resur- 
rection of thy Son may be manifested in the purity 
of our thoughts and the holiness of our daily lives ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O Lion of the tribe of Judah, O Root of David ; 
Enlighten our hearts and minds with thy true 
wisdom, that we, who now rejoice in thy resur- 
rection, may, in thy kingdom, join with thy blessed 
ones, and with all the heavenly host, in praising thy 
glorious Name, who, with the Father, and the Holy 
Ghost, livest and reignest, ever one God, world with- 
out end. Amen. 



The Second Sunday after Easter. 

Almighty God, who hast given thine only Son to 
be unto us both a sacrifice for sin, and also an 
ensample of godly life ; Give us grace that we may 
always most thankfully receive that, his inestimable 
benefit, and also daily endeavor ourselves to follow 
the blessed steps of his most holy life ; through the 
same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O God, who, of thine abundant mercy, hast be- 
gotten us again unto a lively hope, by the resur- 
rection of Jesus Christ from the dead ; Let thy great 
love constrain us, we beseech thee, to rise up, forsake 
all, and follow him ; that as we have been redeemed 
by his Blood, so we may walk also in the light of his 
holy example, and be joined to him evermore as the 
Shepherd and Bishop of our souls; to whom, with 
thee and the Holy Ghost, be honor and glory, world 
without end. Amen. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, the Shepherd of souls, who' 
leadeth thy flock into green pastures, and to refresh- 
ing streams ; Help us to hear thy voice, and to follow 
thee, that we may evermore be the sheep of thy 
fold, and praise thee with the Father and Holy 
Spirit, world without end. Amen. 



186 COLLECTS OF THE CHRISTIAN YEAR. 



The Third Sunday after Easter. 

Almighty God, who showest to them that are in 
error the light of thy truth, to the intent that they 
may return into the way of righteousness ; Grant 
unto all those who are admitted into the fellowship 
of Christ's religion, that they may avoid those 
things that are contrary to their profession, and 
follow all such things as are agreeable to the same ; 
through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. 

God of all truth and grace, who hast caused the 
Sun of righteousness to arise upon a dark and be- 
nighted world, in bringing up thy Holy One from the 
grave ; Be pleased graciously so to illuminate the 
souls of thy people with the beams of heavenly 
wisdom, that they may continually walk in thy light, 
and know both to avoid evil and to follow after that 
which is good ; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who 
liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, 
ever one God, world without end. Amen. 

O God, who delightest in the devotion of the faith- 
ful ; Make thy people, we pray thee, to be devoted 
to holy things. Help them not only to depart from 
sin, but to refrain from the appearance of evil ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

The Fourth Sunday after Easter. 

O Almighty God, who alone canst order the unruly 
wills and affections of sinful men ; Grant unto thy 
people, that they may love the thing which thou 
commandest, and desire that which thou dost 
promise ; that so, among the sundry and manifold 
changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be 
fixed, where true joys are to be found; through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O God, whose promises are the comfort, and thy 
graces the support of thy people ; Grant that what 
is now their hope in time, may hereafter be their 
joy throughout eternity ; through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

O God, who hast founded the earth upon the seas, 
and established it upon the floods and whose Word is 
forever settled in heaven ; Grant unto us grace, we 
beseech thee, to look beyond the things which are 
seen and temporal to the things which are not seen 
and eternal ; that walking by faith more than by 
sight, we may not be unduly moved by any occasions 
in this world, but be able to endure unto the end in 
the way of life ; through him who is the same yester- 
day and to-day, and forever, thy Son Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 



The Fifth Sunday after Easter. 

O Lord, from whom all good things do come ; 
Grant to us thy humble servants, that by thy holy 
inspiration we may think those things that are good, 
and by thy merciful guiding may perform the same ; 
through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. 



COLLECTS OF THE CHRISTIAN YEAR. 187 

Vouchsafe unto us, O Lord, the inspirations of thy 
salutary grace, and quicken us according to thy 
Word ; that knowing what is right, and approving 
that which is good, we may, by patient continuance 
in well doing, seek for glory and honor and immor- 
tality ; and so finally having escaped the corruption 
that is in the world through lust, find an entrance 
ministered unto us abundantly into the everlasting 
kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to 
whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be honor and 
glory, world without end. Amen. 

Grant, O Almighty God, that as we are saved 
from all evil by partaking of thy thought, and be- 
coming obedient to thy will, so we may ever be pre- 
served by thy power, and enjoy the peace of thy 
kingdom ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

The Ascension-day , 

Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that like 
as we do believe thine only-begotten Son our Lord 
Jesus Christ to have ascended into the heavens ; so 
we may also in heart and mind thither ascend, and 
with him continually dwell, who liveth and reigneth 
with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world with- 
out end. Amen. 

O Lord, the king of glory, who, when thou hadst 
fulfilled all that the prophets had spoken of thee, 
didst, through the eternal doors, ascend to thy 
Father's throne, and open the kingdom of heaven to 
all believers ; Grant that whilst thou dost reign in 
heaven, we may not be bowed down to the things of 
earth, but that our he"arts may there be lifted up 
whither our redemption is g'one before ; through thy 
mercy, O our God, who, with the Father and the 
Holy Ghost, livest and reignest, ever one God, world 
without end. Amen. 

Raise, Almighty God, our affections to things 
above, and though we walk upon the earth, may our 
conversation be in heaven, from whence also we look 
for the Saviour; to whom, with thee and the Holy 
Ghost be all honor and glory, world without end. 
Amen. 

Sunday after Ascension-day . 

O God, the King of glory, who hast exalted thine 
only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph unto thy 
kingdom in heaven ; We beseech thee, leave us not 
comfortless; but send to us thine Holy Ghost to 
comfort us, and exalt us unto the same place whither 
our Saviour Christ is gone before, who liveth and 
reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, 
world without end. Amen. 

Almighty God, in whose sight to sin is to die, but 
in whom knowledge is life ; Grant that as by ne- 
cessity of nature we have borne the likeness of 
things earthly, so by the inward transformation of 
the Holy Spirit we may attain to things heavenly, 
and dwell in thy likeness forever ; through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 



188 COLLECTS OF THE CHRISTIAN YEAR. 



O Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord of hosts, the 
King of glory ; Cleanse our hearts from sin, keep 
our hands pure, and turn away our minds from 
vanity, so that, at the last, we may stand in thy 
Holy Place, and receive blessing from thee, whom, 
with the Father and the Holy Ghost, we worship 
and glorify, as one God, world without end. Amen. 



Whitsunday . 

O God, who as at this time didst teach the hearts 
of thy faithful people, by sending to them the light 
of thy Holy Spirit ; Grant us by the same Spirit 
to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore 
to rejoice in his holy comfort ; through the merits of 
Christ Jesus our Saviour, who liveth and reigneth 
with thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, 
world without end. Amen. 

O Holy Ghost, who as at this time, didst descend 
upon the Apostles in the likeness of fiery tongues ; 
Take away all vices from our hearts, and fill us with 
all wisdom and spiritual understanding ; Grant this, 
O blessed Spirit, who, with the Father and the Son, 
livest and reignest, ever one God, world without end. 
Amen. 

Almighty God, who hast given us commandment 
to pray for the gift of the Holy Ghost ; Most heart- 
ily we beseech thee, through Jesus Christ our 
Advocate, to grant us thy Holy Spirit, that he may 
quicken our hearts by thy saving Word, and lead us 
into all truth, that he may guide, instruct, enlighten, 
govern, comfort and sanctify us unto everlasting 
life ; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

Monday in Whitsun-week. 

O God, who as at this time didst teach the hearts 
of thy faithful people, by sending to them the light 
of thy Holy Spirit ; Grant us by the same Spirit to 
have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to 
rejoice in his holy comfort ; through the merits of 
Christ Jesus our Saviour, who liveth and reigneth 
with thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, 
world without end. Amen. 

Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that the 
brightness of thy glory may shine forth upon us, and 
that the light of thy light by the illumination of the 
Holy Spirit may stablish the hearts of all that have 
been born anew by thy grace ; through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

O Lord God, heavenly Father, who by the blessed 
light of thy divine Word, hast led us to the knowledge 
of thy Son ; We most heartily beseech thee, so to 
replenish us with the grace of thy Holy Spirit, that 
we may ever walk in the light of thy truth, and 
rejoicing with sure confidence in Christ our Saviour, 
may in the end be brought unto everlasting salvation ; 
through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 



COLLECTS OF THE CHRISTIAN YEAR. 189 



Tuesday in Whitsun-week. 

O God, who as at this time didst teach the hearts 
of thy faithful people, by sending to them the light 
of thy Holy Spirit ; Grant us by the same Spirit to 
have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to 
rejoice in his holy comfort ; through the merits of 
Christ Jesus our Saviour, who liveth and reigneth 
with thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, 
world without end. Amen. 

O God, the Protector and Guide of all who trust in 
thee ; Turn away from us the false gleams of selfish 
and worldly wisdom, that under the teaching of the 
Holy Spirit we may find pleasure in the simplicity of 
thy truth, and have the wisdom which comes of thy 
holy fear ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Almighty and everlasting God, who of thy great 
mercy in Jesus Christ thy Son, dost grant us forgive- 
ness of sin, and all things pertaining to life and god- 
liness ; Grant us, we beseech thee, thy Holy Spirit, 
that he may so rule our hearts, that we, being ever 
mindful of thy fatherly mercy, may strive to mortify 
the flesh, and to overcome the world, and serving 
thee in holiness and pureness of living, may give 
thee continual thanks for all thy goodness ; through 
Jesus Christ thy Son, our Lord. Amen. 



Trin ity-Sit n day . 

Almighty and everlasting God, who hast given 
unto us thy servants grace, by the confession of a 
true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal 
Trinity, and in the power of the divine Majesty 
to worship the Unity ; We beseech thee that thou 
wouldest keep us stedfast in this faith, and evermore 
defend us from all adversities, who livest and reign- 
est, one God, world without end. Amen. 

O God, the Creator and Saviour of the world, who 
hast made thyself known in the work of man's re- 
demption, as the mystery of the ever adorable 
Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, Three in 
One and One in Three ; Reveal in us, we beseech 
thee, the full power of this faith, into which we have 
been planted by Baptism, that being born of water 
and the Spirit, we may, by a life of holiness, be 
formed into thine image here, and rise to thy blissful 
presence hereafter ; there to join with the song 
of the seraphim, in praising thee, world without end. 
Amen. 

O Father, Son and Holy Ghost, Three Persons, 
and One God ; Enlighten, we pray thee, our hearts 
and minds, that we, stedfast in the true faith, and 
ever shining in good works, may attain at last to the 
life everlasting; through thy mercy, O our God, who 
art blessed, and dost live, and govern all things, 
world without end. Amen. 



190 COLLECTS OF THE CHRISTIAN YEAR. 



The First Sunday after Trinity . 

O God, the strength of all those who put their 
trust in thee; Mercifully accept our prayers; and 
because, through the weakness of our mortal nature, 
we can do no good thing without thee, grant us the 
help of thy grace, that in keeping thy command- 
ments we may please thee, both in will and deed ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Confirm and strengthen in us, O God, sincere and 
upright purposes, foster in us warm and true af- 
fections, and help us to bring to good effect the holy 
desires which by thy grace arise in our hearts. 
When we are tempted, strengthen us, when we are 
weak, encourage us, when we are cast down, raise us 
up. Leave us not without thy grace, but perfect thy 
work in us, and grant that we may do thee true and 
faithful service in this world, and may enter at the 
last into thy eternal peace ; through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

Guide, Almighty God, our steps into the paths of 
righteousness, that we may behave ourselves accord- 
ing to thy will, and observe thy commandments all 
the days of our life, and come to a blessed end ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



The Second Sunday after Trinity . 

O Lord, who never failest to help and govern 
those whom thou dost bring up in thy stedfast fear 
and love ; Keep us, we beseech thee, under the pro- 
tection of thy good providence, and make us to have 
a perpetual fear and love of thy holy Name ; through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O God. the author of all freedom and salvation, 
hear the voices of thy people, and grant that those 
whom thou deliverest from evil may both live by 
thee, and in thee enjoy perpetual peace ; through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Almighty and everlasting God, the source of all 
life and joy, who by the glad sound of the gospel, 
hast called us to have part in thy kingdom and glory ; 
Shine powerfully into our hearts, we beseech thee, 
by thy Word and Spirit, and draw us with the cords 
of thy constraining grace, that we may heartily 
choose that good part which shall not be taken away 
from us, and give all diligence to make our calling 
and election sure ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 



The Third Sunday after Trinity. 

O Lord, we beseech thee mercifully to hear us ; 
and grant that we, to whom thou hast given an 
hearty desire to pray, may, by thy mighty aid, be 
defended and comforted in all dangers and ad- 
versities ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



COLLECTS OF THE CHRISTIAN YEAR. 191 

O Lord our God, who alone foreseest and bestow- 
est things needful for our salvation ; Do thou both 
bestow on our souls the hearty desire of imploring 
thy mercy, and graciously vouchsafe us what will 
be for our good; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

O God, the Lord, strong to deliver and mighty to 
save, who hast been the refuge and dwelling place 
of thy people in all generations ; Perfect and fulfill 
in us, we beseech thee, the work of thy converting 
grace, and be pleased to confirm in us every good 
purpose and deed ; that having been called into the 
way of righteousness, we may have power to con- 
tinue stedfastly in the same until the day of Jesus 
Christ ; to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost, be 
all honor and praise, world without end. Amen. 



The Four tli Sunday after Trinity. 

O God, the protector of all that trust in thee, 
without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy ; 
Increase and multiply upon us thy mercy ; that, thou 
being our ruler and guide, we may so pass through 
things temporal, that we finally lose not the things 
eternal. Grant this, O heavenly Father, for Jesus 
Christ's sake, our Lord. Amen. 

O God, who only art holy, and who dost by thy 
grace purify the unholy ; Cleanse us, we humbly 
beseech thee, from every spot of sin, so that, 
justified by thee, our names may be written in 
heaven ; Grant this, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our 
most blessed Lord and Saviour. Amen. 

O God, whose favor is life and in whose presence 
there is fulness of peace and joy ; Vouchsafe unto us, 
we beseech thee, such an abiding sense of the realitv 
and glory of those things which thou hast prepared 
for those that love thee, as may serve to raise us 
above the vanity of this present world, both in its 
pleasures and in its necessary trials and pains, so 
that under thy guidance and help all things here 
shall work together for our everlasting salvation ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



The Fifth Sunday after Trinity. 

Grant, O Lord, we beseech thee, that the course 
of this world may be so peaceably ordered by thy 
governance, that thy Church may joyfully serve thee 
in all godly quietness ; through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

O God, favorably receive the prayers of thy 
Church, that being delivered from all adversity and 
error, it may serve thee in safety and freedom ; and 
grant us thy peace in our time ; through Jesus Christ 
our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the 
Holy Ghost ever, one God, world without end. 
Amen. 



192 COLLECTS OF THE CHRISTIAN YEAR. 

O God, who art both the Restorer and Ruler of 
mankind ; Grant, we beseech thee, that thy Church 
may ever be increased by a new offspring, and grow 
up by the devotion of all the faithful, through the 
indwelling of the Holy Spirit ; to whom, with thee 
and thy Son Jesus Christ, be all the glory and honor, 
world without end. Amen. 

The Sixth Sunday after Trinity. 

O God, who hast prepared for those who love thee 
such good things as pass man's understanding ; Pour 
into our hearts such love toward thee, that we, loving 
thee above all things, may obtain thy promises, 
which exceed all that we can desire ; through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O God, who makest all things work together for 
good to those that love thee ; Grant to our hearts an 
invincible power of love, that the desires which have 
been conceived by thine inspiration may not be 
changed by any temptations ; through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

Give us, Almighty God, a heart to love and serve 
thee, and enable us to show our thankfulness for all 
the goodness and mercy thou hast granted us, by 
giving up ourselves to thy service, and cheerfully 
submitting in all things to thy blessed will ; through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

The Seventh Sunday after Trinity . 

Lord of all power and might, who art the author 
and giver of all good things ; Graft in our hearts the 
love of thy Name, increase in us true religion, 
nourish us with all goodness, and of thy great mercy 
keep us in the same ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

Almighty God, the Former of our bodies and 
Father of our spirits, in whom we live, move and 
have our being ; Shed abroad thy love in our hearts, 
we beseech thee, and cause the comfort of thy 
heavenly grace to abound in us, as the earnest and 
pledge of joys to come, that casting away all anxious 
thought for the transitory things of this life, we may 
seek first thy kingdom and righteousness, and labor 
only for that meat which endureth unto. everlasting 
life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Increase in our hearts, O God, the power of faith 
and love, that no temptations may overcome us and 
no evils deter us in thy service ; through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 



The Eighth Sunday after Trinity . 

O God, whose never-failing providence ordereth 
all things both in heaven and earth ; We humbly 
beseech thee to put away from us all hurtful things, 
and to give us those things which are profitable for 
us ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



COLLECTS OF THE CHRISTIAN YEAR. 193 

O God, who dividest the day from the night, 
separate our deeds from the gloom of darkness that, 
ever meditating on holy things, we may continually 
live in thy light ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

Keep alive within us, O God, that fire which thy 
blessed Son came to kindle upon earth, that we also 
may be anointed with his Spirit of peace, holiness 
and obedience ; through the same Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 



The Ninth Sunday after Trinity. 

Grant to us, Lord, we beseech thee, the spirit to 
think and do always such things as are right ; that 
we, who cannot do any thing that is good without 
thee, may by thee be enabled to live according to 
thy will ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

We beseech thee, O Lord, in thy loving kindness 
to pour thy holy light into our souls, that we may 
ever be devoted to thee, by whose wisdom we were 
created, and by whose providence we are governed ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Reveal thyself unto us, O God, that we may know 
thy will, and delight in doing it, with the same spirit 
manifested by thy Son ; to whom, with thee and the 
Holy Ghost, be dominion and glory forever and ever. 

Amen. 



The Tenth Sunday after Trinity . . 

Let thy merciful ears, O Lord, be open to the 
prayers of thy humble servants ; and that they may 
obtain their petitions, make them to ask such things 
as shall please thee ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

Lord, we beseech thee, let thy favor be present 
with thy people who call upon thee ; That what by 
thy inspiration they faithfully ask, by thy speedy 
bounty they may obtain ; through the mercy of thy 
Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

We beseech thee, O Lord, vouchsafe us an un- 
ceasing perseverance in praying unto thee, that as 
thou dost not forsake us in our sorrow, so thou 
mayest cherish us with more abundant grace when 
we continually beseech th\' Majesty ; through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 



The Eleventh Sunday after Trinity . 

O God, who declarest thy almighty power chief!}' 
in showing mercy and pity ; Mercifully grant unto 
us such a measure of thy grace, that we, running the 
way of thy commandments, may obtain thy gracious 
promises, and be made partakers of thy heavenly 
treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

13 



194 COLLECTS OF THE CHRISTIAN YEAR. 

Almighty and everlasting God, glorify thyself, we 
beseech thee, in all that we do and suffer, and lead 
us in that way in which we shall best escape the 
pollutions that are in the world, and attain at last to 
the unspeakable joys of the life to come ; through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O Lord Almighty, the only-begotten Son of the 
Father ; Loose us from the bonds of our sins, and 
fill us with all spiritual gifts, that so, thy grace pre- 
venting and following us, we may be thy faithful 
servants here, and be numbered with thy saints 
in glory hereafter ; through thy mercy, O blessed 
Saviour. Amen. 



The Twelfth Simday after Trinity . 

Almighty and everlasting God, who art always 
more ready to hear than we to pray, and art wont to 
give more than either we desire or deserve ; Pour 
down upon us the abundance of thy mercy ; forgiv- 
ing us those things whereof our conscience is afraid, 
and giving us those good things which we are not 
worthy to ask, but through the merits and mediation 
of Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord. Amen. 

Almighty God, to whom mercy belongeth, and 
whose delight it is at all times to spare and save ; 
Accept, we beseech thee, our humble prayer, and 
set free thy servants that lie under the bondage of 
sin, according to thy merciful goodness ; through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O God, the high and holy One, who inhabitest eter- 
nity, and dwellest with him also who is of a contrite 
and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, 
and to revive the heart of the contrite ones ; Glorify 
thy grace, we beseech thee, in the midst of our 
manifold infirmities and sins, and through all 
temptation hold us up by thy mighty hand ; that the 
trial of our faith, being much more precious than of 
gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, may 
be found unto praise, and honor, and glory, at the 
appearing of Jesus Christ ; to whom, with thee and 
the Holy Ghost, be honor and glory, world without 
end. Amen. 



The Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity . 

Almighty and merciful God, of whose only gift it 
cometh that thy faithful people do unto thee true 
and laudable service ; Grant, we beseech thee, that 
we may so faithfully serve thee in this life, that 
we fail not finally to attain thy heavenly promises ; 
through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Grant us, O Lord, not to mind earthly things, but 
to love things heavenly ; and even now, while we are 
placed among things that are passing away, to cleave 
to those that shall abide ; through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen, 



COLLECTS OF THE CHRISTIAN YEAR. 195 

Give us, heavenly Father, the spirit of faithful- 
ness in the discharge of all the duties of life, that 
we may grow in spiritual things and attain holiness 
and everlasting bliss ; through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

The Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity . 

Almighty and everlasting God, give unto us the in- 
crease of faith, hope and charity; and, that we may 
obtain that which thou dost promise, make us to love 
that which thou dost command ; through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O heavenly Father, who hast taught us how great 
things were wrought, through faith, in times of old ; 
Give, we beseech thee, to thy servants a strong and 
living faith ; that, looking not at the things which 
are seen, but at the things which are not seen, we 
may win a like victory over the world, and fmally 
behold with our eyes the things in which we have 
believed ; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus 
Christ. Amen. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, around whose throne is a 
rainbow like unto an emerald ; Give us, we beseech 
thee, that hope which maketh not ashamed. Teach 
us to sow in hope, labor in hope, persevere in hope : 
that at the last we may joy before thee according 
to the joy in harvest, and our works may follow us, 
and heaven be attained ; where we shall praise thee, 
with the Father and the Holy Ghost, world without 
end. Amen. 

The Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity. 

Keep, we beseech thee, O Lord, thy Church with 
thy perpetual mercy ; and, because the frailty of 
man without thee cannot but fall, keep us ever 
by thy help from all things hurtful, and lead us 
to all things profitable to our salvation ; through 
Jesus Christ onr Lord. Amen. 

Remember, O Lord, we pray thee, that we are but 
dust, and behold the contrition of our hearts, and 
grant that we, who through the weakness of the 
flesh cannot but fall, may by thy mighty power be 
lifted up ; through Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord. 
Amen. 

Let thy perpetual mere}', O Lord, accompany thy 
Church ; that while it is placed among the storms of 
the world, it may both be refreshed with present 
gladness, and behold the brightness of eternal bliss ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

The Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity. 

O Lord, we beseech thee, let thy continual pity 
cleanse and defend thy Church ; and, because it 
cannot continue in safety without thy succor, pre- 
serve it evermore by thy help and goodness ; through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



196 COLLECTS OF THE CHRISTIAN YEAR. 

Be present, O Lord, with the prayers of thy 
servants, we beseech thee, and let thy people created 
by thy power, and renewed by thy life, be ever saved 
by thy continual help ; through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who hast 
promised to be with thy Church unto the end of the 
world, and that the gates of hell shall not prevail 
against it ; Graciously make thy strength perfect in 
our weakness, and, according to thy promise, be 
present with us thine unworthy servants, and grant 
us thy merciful help ; through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 



The Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity . 

Lord, we pray thee that thy grace may always 
prevent and follow us, and make us continually to be 
given to all good works ; through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who hast 
given us all things that pertain unto life and godli- 
ness through the glorious revelation of the gospel ; 
Cause thy word to dwell in us richly, we beseech 
thee, and fill us with the knowledge of thy will in all 
wisdom and spiritual understanding, that we may 
walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being 
fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the 
knowledge of God ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

O Almighty God, we beseech thee, that as thou 
hast given unto us grace to receive thy Son, our 
Lord Jesus Christ, and to believe on his Name, so 
thou wilt grant us ever to abide stedfast in thy faith 
and in all good works, that when he shall come 
again to judge the world, we may stand before him 
with meekness of joy and confidence; through the 
merits of the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

The Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity. 

Lord, we beseech thee, grant thy people grace to 
withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh, 
and the devil ; and with pure hearts and minds to 
follow thee, the only God ; through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

O God, who wiliest not the death of a sinner, pro- 
tect with thy heavenly aid those persons who are ex- 
posed to special temptations ; and grant that in the 
fulfilment of thy commandments they may be 
strengthened by the assistance of thy grace ; through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O God, who canst save by obedience of the spirit, 
men lost by the weakness of the flesh ; Grant us 
so to have our irtward sight quickened, and our 
better mind strengthened, that we may avoid that 
which destroys us, and lay hold on that which works 
perpetual peace ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 



COLLECTS OF THE CHRISTIAN YEAR. 197 



The Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity. 

O God, forasmuch as without thee we are not able 
to please thee ; Mercifully grant that thy Holy Spirit 
may in all things direct and rule our hearts ; through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, whose mercies 
are new unto us every morning, and who, though 
we have in no wise deserved thy goodness, dost 
abundantly provide for all our wants of body and 
soul \ Give us, we pray thee, thy Holy Spirit, that 
we may heartily acknowledge thy merciful goodness 
toward us, give thanks for all thy benefits, and serve 
thee in willing obedience ; through Jesus Christ thy 
Son, our Lord. Amen. 

O Holy Ghost, the Comforter, Giver of life, Spirit 
of truth and holiness ; Come, and dwell in the hearts 
of thy servants, quickening them into newness of 
life, guiding them into all truth, and sanctifying 
them wholly by thy power ; that, being cleansed 
from every stain of sin, and delivered from all false 
doctrine and error, they may be living temples of 
thy holy presence ; who, with the Father and the 
Son, livest and reignest one God for evermore. 
Amen. 



The Twentieth Sunday after Trinity. 

O Almighty and most merciful God, of thy bounti- 
ful goodness keep us, we beseech thee, from all 
things that may hurt us ; that we, being ready both 
in body and soul, may cheerfully accomplish those 
things which thou commandest ; through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 



O most loving Father, who wiliest us to give 
thanks for all things, to dread nothing but the loss of 
thee, and to cast all our care on thee who carest for 
us ; Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly 
anxieties, and grant that no clouds of this mortal 
life may hide from us the light of that love which is 
immortal, and which thou hast manifested unto us 
in thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O God our Father, merciful and kind, long-suffer- 
ing and of great goodness, whom the Angels and 
Archangels and all the host of heaven worship and 
adore ; Look down upon us with compassion, and 
sanctify us throughout, that we may be to thee, as 
new-born sons, spiritual, pure and holy. Direct our 
steps in thy holy ways ; preserve us from all temp- 
tations of body and soul ; and cast down Satan 
under our feet. Pardon all our sins, backslidings 
and forgetfulness of thee ; and grant us the rich 
mercy which is of thee in Christ Jesus our Lord, 
with whom and thy Holy Spirit, thou art blessed 
and praised by all thy creatures now and for ever. 
Amen. 



198 COLLECTS OF THE CHRISTIAN YEAR. 



The Twenty-first Sunday after Trinity . 

Grant, we beseech thee, merciful Lord, to thy 
faithful people pardon and peace, that they may be 
cleansed from all their sins, and serve thee with a 
quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Almighty God, who hast given thine only Son 
to be a sacrifice and propitiation for the sins of the 
whole world ; Grant unto us remission and forgive- 
ness of all our sins, and continued growth in the 
blessedness of the spiritual life ; through Jesus 
Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy 
Spirit, be all dominion and glory, world without end. 
Amen. 

Cleanse us, O Lord, from our secret faults, and 
mercifully absolve us from our presumptuous sins, 
that we may receive thy holy things with a pure 
mind ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



The Twenty-second Sunday after Trinity . 

Lord, we beseech thee to keep thy household the 
Church in continual godliness ; that through thy 
protection it may be free from all adversities, and 
devoutly given to serve thee in good works, to the 
glory of thy Name ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

We beseech thee, O Lord, to guide thy Church 
with thy perpetual governance ; that it may walk 
watchfully in times of quiet, and boldly in times of 
trouble; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Mercifully regard, O God, the prayers of thy 
family, and while they submit themselves to thee 
with their whole heart, do thou prosper them with 
support, and encompass them with blessings, that, 
relying on thee as their guide, they may be entangled 
in no evils, but be filled with all good ; through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 



The Twenty-third Sunday after Trinity . 

O God, our refuge and strength, who art the 
author of all godliness ; Be ready, we beseech thee, 
to hear the devout prayers of thy Church ; and grant 
that those things which we ask faithfully we may 
obtain effectually ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

We beseech thee, Almighty God, to look upon thy 
servants, whom thou hast enabled to put their trust 
in thee ; and grant them both to ask such things 
as shall please thee, and also to obtain what they 
ask ; through the merits of thy Son, Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 



COLLECTS OF THE CHRISTIAN YEAR. 199 

O eternal God, who art great and wonderful in 
glory, the life of all, the help of those that flee unto 
thee, and the hope of those who cry unto thee ; 
Cleanse us from sin, secret and open, and from 
every thought displeasing to thy goodness ; cleanse 
our bodies and souls, our hearts and consciences, 
that with a pure heart and a clean soul, with perfect 
love and calm hope, we may venture fearlessly to 
pray unto thee ; through him who hath taught us 
how to pray, thy blessed Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 



The Twenty- fourth Sunday after Trinity. 

O Lord, we beseech thee, absolve thy people from 
their offences ; that through thy bountiful goodness 
we may all be delivered from the bands of those sins, 
which by our frailty we have committed. Grant 
this, O heavenly Father, for Jesus Christ's sake, our 
blessed Lord and Saviour. Amen. 

O Lord Jesus Christ ; Be merciful unto us for thy 
Name's sake ; wherein we have wandered from thee, 
bring us back ; wash away the sins that we have 
committed ; and set us, whom thou hast redeemed, 
at thy right hand, when thou comest to be our 
Judge ; through thy mercy, O our God, who art 
blessed, and dost live, and govern all things, world 
without end. Amen. 

O God, who hast given us the promise of thy 
heavenly rest, may we labor earnestly to enter into 
it. Quicken, we pray thee, our faith and hope. 
Teach us to mortify whatever in us is earthly, carnal 
and corrupt. Putting off the works of darkness, 
may we be clothed with truth, righteousness and 
purity, and walk as Christ walked, that we may have 
confidence and not be ashamed before him at his 
appearing. We ask it through the same Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 



The Sunday next before Advent. 

Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy 
faithful people ; that they, plenteously bringing 
forth the fruit of good works, may by thee be 
.plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

O God, so rule and govern our hearts and minds 
by thy Holy Spirit that being ever mindful of the 
end of all things, and the day of thy just judgment, 
we may be stirred up to holiness of living here, and 
dwell with thee forever hereafter ; through Jesus 
Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth 
with thee and the Holy Ghost ever, one God, world 
without end. Amen. 

Almighty God, we beseech thee, show thy mercy 
unto thy humble servants, that we who put no trust 
in our own merits may not be dealt with after the 
severity of thy judgment, but according to thy 



200 COLLECTS OF THE CHRISTIAN YEAR. 

mercy ; through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, 
who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy 
Ghost ever, one God, world without end, Amen. 



Saint A7idrew ) s Day. 

Almighty God, who didst give such grace unto thy 
holy ApOstle Saint Andrew, that he readily obeyed 
the calling of thy Son Jesus Christ, and followed 
him without delay ; Grant unto us all, that we, being 
called by thy holy Word, may forthwith give up our- 
selves obediently to fulfil thy holy commandments ; 
through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Grant, heavenly Father, that in our services 
rendered to thee we may act with promptitude both 
in accepting salvation for ourselves and in leading 
others to a knowledge of thyself ; through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 



Saint Thomas the Apostle. 

Almighty and everliving God, who, for the greater 
confirmation of the faith, didst suffer thy holy 
Apostle Thomas to be doubtful in thy Son's resur- 
rection ; Grant us so perfectly, and without all 
doubt, to believe in thy Son Jesus Christ, that our 
faith in thy sight may never be reproved. Hear us, 
O Lord, through the same Jesus Christ, to whom, 
with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honor and 
glory, now and forevermore Amen. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, very God and very Man, 
who changest not, but art holy in all thy works ; 
Take away from us, we humbly beseech thee, all 
unbelief, and fill us with the gifts of thy grace ; 
through thy mercy, O our God, who art blessed, 
and dost live, and govern all things, world without 
end. Amen. 



The Conversion of Saint Paul. 

O God, who, through the preaching of the blessed 
Apostle Saint Paul, hast caused the light of the 
Gospel to shine throughout the world; Grant, we. 
beseech thee, that we, having his wonderful con- 
version in remembrance, may show forth our thank- 
fulness unto thee for the same, by following the holy 
doctrine which he taught ; through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

O Christ, the Son of God, who didst graciously 
choose Saint Paul to be thine Apostle, and didst 
enable him so to sow the good seed of thy Word 
throughout the world, that from it there has sprung 
up an abundant harvest unto thee ; Grant that his 
teachings may sink deep into our hearts, and bring 
forth fruit to thy glory, who, with the Father and 
the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest ever, one God, 
world without end. Amen. 



COLLECTS OF THE CHRISTIAN YEAR. 201 

The Presentation of Christ in the Temple, 

commonly called 

The Purification of Saint Mary the Virgin. 

Almighty and everliving God, we humbly beseech 
thy Majesty, that, as thine only-begotten Son was 
this day presented in the temple in substance of our 
flesh, so we may be presented unto thee with pure 
and clean hearts, by the same thy Son Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

Cleanse thou us, O good Lord, and so shall we be 
cleansed, and grant that as thy blessed Son was 
presented in the temple in the substance of our flesh, 
so with pure and clean hearts we may ever present 
ourselves before thee to offer up spiritual sacrifices 
to the honor of thy great Name ; through the same 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Saint Matthias' s Day. 

O Almighty God, who into the place of the traitor 
Judas didst choose thy faithful servant Matthias 
to be of the number of the twelve Apostles ; Grant 
that thy Church, being always preserved from false 
Apostles, may be ordered and guided by faithful 
and true pastors ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

O God, the Light of the faithful and Shepherd of 
souls, who didst place thine holy Apostles in the 
Church that they might feed thy sheep by their 
words, and guide them by their examples; Grant us, 
we pray thee, to keep the faith which they taught, 
and to follow in their footsteps ; through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 



The Annunciation of the blessed Virgin 
Mary. 

We beseech thee, O Lord, pour thy grace into our 
hearts ; that, as we have known the incarnation of 
thy Son Jesus Christ by the message of an Angel, 
so by his cross and passion we may be brought unto 
the glory of his resurrection ; through the same 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O God, who, regarding the humility of the blessed 
Virgin Mary, didst exalt her to such excellent grace 
that of her, according to the flesh, thine only-begotten 
Son should be born ; Grant, we beseech thee, that 
we, humbling ourselves in all things after her ex- 
ample, may attain to be exalted ; through the same 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



Saint Mark' s Day . 

O Almighty God, who hast instructed thy holy 
Church with the heavenly doctrine of thy Evangelist 
Saint Mark ; Give us grace that, being not like 
children carried away with every blast of vain 



202 COLLECTS OF THE CHRISTIAN YEAR. 

doctrine, we may be established in the truth of thy 
holy Gospel; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

O God, who didst bestow on blessed Saint Mark, 
the clear light of faith, and the might of holiness ; 
Grant us the same firmness of faith in the truths he 
taught, and a fellowship with him in thine eternal 
glory ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Saint Philip and Saint James 's Day . 

O Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlast- 
ing life ; Grant us perfectly to know thy Son Jesus 
Christ to be the way, the truth and the life ; that, 
following the steps of thy holy Apostles, Saint 
Philip and Saint James, we may stedfastly walk in 
the way that leadeth to eternal life ; through the 
same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

We beseech thee, O God, to grant us after the 
examples of Saint Philip and Saint James constancy 
in thy faith and truth ; that, being grounded in 
divine love, we maybe moved from its perfection by 
no temptations; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

Saint Barnabas the Apostle. 

O Lord God Almighty, who didst endue thy holy 
Apostle Barnabas with singular gifts of the Holy 
Ghost ; Leave us not, we beseech thee, destitute of 
thy manifold gifts, nor yet of grace to use them 
alway to thy honor and glory ; through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

O Father of mercies and God of all consolation; 
Fill us, we pray thee, with thy Holy Spirit, so that, 
after the example of thy blessed Apostle Saint 
Barnabas, the son of consolation, we, loving thee 
above all things, may delight in doing good to our 
fellow-men; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



Saint John Baptist 1 s Day. 

Almighty God, by whose providence thy servant 
John Baptist was wonderfully born, and sent to pre- 
pare the way of thy Son our Saviour by preaching 
repentance ; Make us so to follow his doctrine and 
holy life, that we may truly repent according to his 
preaching; and after his example constantly speak 
the truth, boldly rebuke vice, and patiently suffer 
for the truth's sake ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, who didst make thy fore- 
runner, Saint John Baptist, to be as a bright light in 
thy temple ; Grant that we may ever shine in thy 
Church, with the ardor of faith, in works of charity, 
and in true humility ; through thy mercy, O Christ 
our God, who, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, 
livest and reignest ever, one God, world without 
end. Amen. 



COLLECTS OF THE CHRISTIAN YEAR. 203 



Saint Peter 's Day . 

O Almighty God, who by thy Son Jesus Christ 
didst give to thy Apostle Saint Peter many excellent 
gifts, and commandedst him earnestly to feed thy 
flock ; Make, we beseech thee, all Bishops and 
Pastors diligently to preach thy holy Word, and the 
people obediently to follow the same, that they may 
receive the crown of everlasting glory ; through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O God, who didst cause blessed Saint Peter the 
Apostle to be loosed from his chains and to depart 
unhurt; Break, we beseech thee, the bands of our 
sins, and mercifully put away all evil things from 
us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Saint James the Apostle. 

Grant, O merciful God, that, as thine holy Apostle 
Saint James, leaving his father and all that he had, 
without delay, was obedient unto the calling of thy 
Son Jesus Christ, and followed him ; so we, for- 
saking all worldly and carnal affections, may be 
evermore ready to follow thy holy commandments ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Grant, O Lord, that as thy holy Apostle Saint 
James, so soon as he was called, left the ship and his 
father, and followed thy Son Jesus Christ with all his 
heart, so we may ever with a glad will obey thy 
commandments ; through the same Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 



The Transfiguration of Christ. 

O God, who on the mount didst reveal to chosen 
witnesses thine only-begotten Son wonderfully trans- 
figured, in raiment white and glistering; Mercifully 
grant that we, being delivered from the disquietude 
of this world, may be permitted to behold the King 
in his beauty, who with thee, O Father, and thee, O 
Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, one God, world 
without end. Amen. 

O God, who at the transfiguration of thine only- 
begotten Son didst confirm the mysteries of the faith 
by the testimony of the fathers, and didst wonder- 
fully prefigure, by the voice from the bright cloud, 
the perfect adoption of sons ; Grant, we beseech 
thee, that we may be co-heirs of the King of glory, 
and finally partakers of his glory ; through the same 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Saint Bartholomew the Apostle. 

O Almighty and everlasting God, who didst give to 
thine Apostle Bartholomew, grace truly to believe 
and to preach thy Word ; Grant, we beseech thee, 
unto thy Church, to love that Word which he 
believed, and both to preach and receive the same ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



204 COLLECTS OF THE CHRISTIAN YEAR. 



O Christ, the power of God, and the wisdom of 
God, who didst give to thy holy Apostle Saint 
Bartholomew power to tread on serpents and 
scorpions ; Strengthen us, we pray thee, by thy 
grace, that in thy might we may vanquish and over- 
come all our spiritual enemies, and with pure hearts 
serve thee, whom, with the Father and the Holy 
Ghost, we worship and glorify ever, one God, world 
without end. Amen. 



Saint Matthew the Apostle. 

O Almighty God, who by thy blessed Son didst 
call Matthew from the receipt of custom to be an 
Apostle and Evangelist ; Grant us grace to forsake 
all covetous desires, and inordinate love of riches, 
and to follow the same thy Son Jesus Christ, who 
liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, 
one God, world without end. Amen. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, who of thy great goodness, 
didst call Matthew the publican to be thine Apostle 
and Evangelist ; Grant us, like him, to withstand 
temptation, and, turning from all the allurements of 
the world, to follow thee without delay ; through thy 
mercy, O our God, who art blessed, and dost live, 
and govern all things, world without end. Amen. 



Saint Michael and all Angels. 

O everlasting God, who hast ordained and consti- 
tuted the services of Angels and men in a wonderful 
order ; Mercifully grant that, as thy holy Angels 
always do thee service in heaven, so, by thy appoint- 
ment, they may succor and defend us on earth ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O Lord, the King eternal ; Send, we pray thee, 
thy holy Angels to defend us both in soul and body ; 
and grant that as thou hast called us to share their 
blessedness in the world to come, so we may ever 
follow the example of their obedience, and delight to 
do thy pleasure ; through Jesus Christ, thy Son, our 
Lord. Amen. 



Saint Luke the Evangelist. 

Almighty God, who calledst Luke the Physician, 
whose praise is in the Gospel, to be an Evangelist, 
and Physician of the soul ; May it please thee that, 
by the wholesome medicines of the doctrine delivered 
by him, all the diseases of our souls may be healed ; 
through the merits of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

Look mercifully, O God, on the prayers of thy 
supplicants and enlighten with thy health our bodies 
and souls, that no dark desires may have possession 
of those whom the light of heavenly grace daily 
renews. We ask it through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 



COLLECTS OF THE CHRISTIAN YEAR. 205 



Saint Simon and Saint Jude, Apostles. 

O Almighty God, who hast built thy Church upon 
the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus 
Christ himself being the head corner-stone ; Grant 
us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their 
doctrine, that we may be made an holy temple 
acceptable unto thee ; through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

O Saviour, who didst send out thine Apostles to 
preach throughout the world, the gospel of thine 
everlasting kingdom ; Grant that we who confess 
and adore in thy divine Person all the fulness of the 
Godhead, may so obey thee in a life of holiness and 
true charity that at the last we may come to thine 
eternal joys ; through thy mercy, O Jesus Christ our 
Lord, who livest and reignest with the Father and 
Holy Ghost ever, one God, world without end. 
Amen. 



All Saints' Day. 

O Almighty God, who hast knit together thine 
elect in one communion and fellowship, in the mys- 
tical body of thy Son Christ our Lord ; Grant us 
grace so to follow thy blessed Saints in all virtuous 
and godly living, that we may come to those un- 
speakable joys which thou hast prepared for those 
who unfeignedly love thee ; through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen, 

O God, of whose gift thy blessed Saints, who are 
now at rest, overcame the world ; Grant us now to 
follow in their footsteps, and after this life to be 
partakers with them of heavenly joys ; through Jesus 
Christ, thy Son, our Lord. Amen. 



206 OTHER COLLECTS. 



©fDcr Collects from tbc Book 
of Common Prayer, 

O God, from whom all holy desires, all good 
counsels, and all just works do proceed; Give unto 
thy servants that peace, which the world cannot 
give ; that our hearts may be set to obey thy com- 
mandments, and also that by thee, we, being de- 
fended from the fear of our enemies, may pass our 
time in rest and quietness ; through the merits of 
Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen. 

Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all 
desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid ; 
Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration 
of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, 
and worthily magnify thy holy Name ; through 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O Almighty Lord, and everlasting God, vouchsafe, 
we beseech thee, to direct, sanctify and govern, both 
our hearts and bodies, in the ways of thy laws, and 
in the works of thy commandments ; that, through 
thy most mighty protection, both here and ever, we 
may be preserved in body and soul ; through our 
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. 

Assist us mercifully, O Lord, in these our suppli- 
cations and prayers, and dispose the way of thy 
servants toward the attainment of everlasting sal- 
vation ; that, among all the changes and chances of 
this mortal life, they may ever be defended by thy 
most gracious and ready help; through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that the 
words which we have heard this day with our out- 
ward ears, may, through thy grace, be so grafted in- 
wardly in our hearts, that they may bring forth in us 
the fruit of good living, to the honor and praise of 
thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings, with thy most 
gracious favor, and further us with thy continual 
help ; that in all our works begun, continued and 
ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy Name, and 
finally, by thy mercy, obtain everlasting life ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom, who 
knowest our necessities before we ask, and our 
ignorance in asking; we beseech thee to have com- 
passion upon our infirmities; and those things, 
which for our unworthiness we dare not, and for 
our blindness we cannot ask, vouchsafe to give us, 
for the worthiness of thy Son Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 



OTHER COLLECTS. 207 

Almighty God, who hast promised to hear the 
petitions of those who ask in thy Son's Name ; We 
beseech thee mercifully to incline thine ears to us 
who have now made our prayers and supplications 
unto thee ; and grant, that those things which we 
have faithfully asked according to thy will, may 
effectually be obtained, to the relief of our necessity, 
and to the setting forth of thy glory ; through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O God, who art the author of peace and lover of 
concord, in knowledge of whom standeth our eternal 
life, whose service is perfect freedom ; Defend us thy 
humble servants in all assaults of our enemies ; that 
we, surely trusting in thy defence, may not fear the 
power of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Almighty God, who hast given us grace at this 
time with one accord to make our common suppli- 
cations unto thee ; and dost promise that when two 
or three are gathered together in thy Name thou wilt 
grant their requests ; Fulfil now, O Lord, the desires 
and petitions of thy servants, as may be most ex- 
pedient for them ; granting us in this world 
knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come 
life everlasting. Amen. 

Most gracious God, the giver of all good and per- 
fect gifts, who of thy wise providence hast appointed 
divers Orders in thy Church ; Give thy grace, we 
beseech thee, to thy servant, to whom the charge of 
this Congregation is now committed ; and so re- 
plenish him with the truth of thy doctrine, and 
endue him with innocency of life, that he may faith- 
fully serve before thee, to the glory of thy great 
Name, and the benefit of thy holy Church ; through 
Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Redeemer. 
Amen. 

O holy Jesus, who hast purchased to thyself an 
universal Church, and hast promised to be with the 
Ministers of Apostolic Succession to the end of the 
world ; Be graciously pleased to bless the ministry 
and service of him who is now appointed to offer the 
sacrifices of prayer and praise to thee in this house, 
which is called by thy Name. May the words of his 
mouth, and the meditation of his heart, be alway 
acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, our strength and 
our Redeemer. Amen. 

O God, Holy Ghost, Sanctifier of the faithful, 
visit, we pray thee, this Congregation with thy love 
and favor ; enlighten their minds more and more 
with the light of the everlasting Gospel ; graft in 
their hearts a love of the truth ; increase in them 
true religion ; nourish them with all goodness ; and 
of thy great mercy keep them in the same, O blessed 
Spirit, whom, with the Father and the Son together, 
we worship and glorify as one God, world without 
end. Amen. 



208 LENTEN PRAYERS. 



Centen Prayers. 

O God the Father, who knowest our necessities, 
hear us, thy servants. 

O God the Son, who was tempted like as we are, 
hear us, thy servants. 

O God the Holy Ghost, who knowest how to 
deliver the ungodly out of temptation, hear us, thy 
servants. 

O Lord God, we pray thee during these forty days 
to make us know ourselves as thou knowest us and 
to see our sins as thou seest them. 

Help us to set our minds more on thee and less on 
the world. 

Help us to resist the devil, as good soldiers of 
Jesus Christ. 

Help us to keep our bodies chaste, our words holy, 
our thoughts pure, as being temples of thy Holy 
Spirit. 

Lead us to give up something for thee to-day. 

Lead us to help some person in body or soul 
to-day. 

Lead us to pray for thy holy Church to-day. 

Make us to-day and every day to obey thee as 
the children of God. 

Make us to-day and every day to love thee as 
members of Christ. 

Make us to-day and every day to serve thee, as 
inheritors of the kingdom of heaven. 

Grant us so to take up our cross daily here, that 
we may receive the crown of glory hereafter, through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Almighty God, whose blessed Son, for our sakes 
did fast forty days and forty nights ; Give us grace 
to use such abstinence, during this season dedicated 
to the exercise of repentance, that our flesh may be 
subdued to the spirit, and our minds the better dis- 
posed to approach thee with ardor and fervency 
of affection. Inure us, by self-denial to bring our 
bodies into subjection, and to punish all those ex- 
cesses we have been guilty of in the use of thy 
creatures. Let our retirement from the world make 
us see the vanity and emptiness of it, and teach us to 
relish the pleasures of spiritual enjoyments. Make 
us heartily to bewail our sins and do thou work in us 
a godly sorrow unto salvation not to be repented of, 
that, perceiving how bitter a thing it is to depart 
from the living God, we may no longer continue at a 
distance from the Fountain of joy and happiness, 
but, confessing and forsaking our sins, may be 
entirely converted unto thee ; through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen, 



LENTEN PRAYERS. 209 

O Lord, who through ages past has trained thy 
Church, as at this season, in finding out and striving 
against the secret or the open sins which may be 
displeasing in thy sight ; By the help of the Holy 
Spirit lay open to us our hearts and lives, that we 
may in humble penitence lay them at the foot of 
the cross of Christ for cleansing through his most 
precious blood ; through the same Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

O most merciful Saviour, who healest the inward 
man by outward afflictions, and by troubles in this 
world dost prepare us for eternal joys in the world 
to come ; By that cup of sorrow which thou drankest 
for us, and by that weary path which thou troddest, 
grant that we may willingly drink of thy cup, and 
cheerfully follow thee along the road where thou 
hast gone before ; who with the Father and the Holy 
Ghost now reignest one God, world without end. 
Amen. 

O Christ, the Son of God, who, for our sakes, 
didst fast forty days, and didst suffer thyself to be 
tempted ; Grant that we may not be led astray 
through any temptations ; and, since man doth not 
live by bread alone, nourish our souls with heavenly 
food ; through thy mercy, O our God, who art 
blessed, and dost live, and govern all things, world 
without end. Amen. 



210 VARIOUS PRAYERS. 




Uarious Prayers, 



* 



For those who have forsaken the Catholic 
Faith. 

Almighty and merciful Father, we beseech thee 
for all who have forsaken the Catholic faith, all who 
have wandered from any portion thereof, or are in 
doubt or temptation through the enemies of thy 
Word, that thou wouldest visit them as a Father, 
reveal unto them their error and bring them back 
from their wanderings, that they in loyalty to thy 
Church and thy holy Word, may be led unto ever- 
lasting life ; through faith in Jesus Christ, thy Son, 
our Lord. Amen. 



For those we have led into Sin. 

O merciful God, we pray thee most humbly for all 
who have sinned against thee through our fault, and 
all to whom we have taught evil by word or action. 
Forgive their sins, and the evil we have caused by 
our wickedness do thou put away in thy mercy ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



For Neglected Persons. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, who wast forgotten as a dead 
man out of mind ; Shew forth thy loving kindness, 
we entreat thee, to all persons who in this world feel 
themselves neglected, or little loved, or forgotten. 
Be thou their beloved Companion, and let commun- 
ion with thee be to them more dear than tenderest 
earthly intercourse. Teach them to seek thee in 
prayer, and to find thee in thy blessed Sacrament ; 
teach them to discern thee in all with whom they 
come in contact, and to love and serve thee in them. 
On earth grant them comfort by the repentance of 
any who have wronged them, and in heaven comfort 
in the communion of all saints with each other and 
with thee. Grant this, O our God, who art blessed, 
and livest and reignest for ever and ever. Amen. 



For those who live in Sin. 

Have mercy, heavenly Father, on all who are 
hardened through the deceitfulness of sin ; Vouch- 
safe them grace to come to themselves, the will and 
the power to return to thee, and the loving welcome 
of thy forgiveness : through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 



VARIOUS PRAYERS. 211 



For the Thoughtless. 

O God and Father of all, who delightest in the 
happiness of thy creatures ; Send down thy Holy 
Spirit upon those who are drawn away by the 
pleasures of youth, the opportunities of wealth, or 
the excitement of sin, to forget thee, and neglect 
their regenerate life. Enlighten them, calm them, 
control them, make them to see the vanity of earthly 
pleasures ; and so subdue their natural energies by 
the power of thy supernatural love that they may 
spend them in thy service, to thy honor and glory ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

For the Censorious. 

Have mercy, O God, upon those who are accus- 
tomed to speak harshly of their brethren, and grant 
that in all our judgments of others we may remember 
thy judgment, whereby we shall ourselves be judged, 
and may exercise that charity whereby we hope to 
be forgiven ; for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen. 

For the Worldly . 

O God, whom truly to know is everlasting life ; 
Pity the blindness of those who by the contemplation 
of thy creatures are drawn away from the faithful 
acknowledgment of thee their Creator. Make them 
to see the transitory character of all outward things 
and the beauty of thine eternal truth, that they may 
know thy love manifested by thine incarnate Son, 
and when the present age of their probation shall 
have passed away, may they be filled with thine own 
fulness ; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

For Persons Unjustly Accused. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, against whom false witnesses 
rose up ; By thy most holy example of perfect patience 
and humility strengthen and support, we entreat 
thee, all persons unjustly accused or underrated. 
Comfort them by the ever-present thought that thou 
knowest the whole truth, and wilt in thine own good 
time make their righteousness as clear as the light. 
Give them grace to pray for such as do them wrong, 
and hear and bless them when they pray. Grant 
this through thy mercy, O our God, who art blessed, 
and livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen. 



Against angry Passions. 

O most meek and lowly Jesus, who didst suffer all 
insults and injuries in thy adorable person, and when 
struck in thy face by the soldier, didst but reply, 
Why smitest thou me ? mortify in us all angry 
passions, that we may not return injuries with 
malice, nor ever meditate revenge, but bear all 
things patiently for thy sake, thou meek and silent 
Lamb of God, suffering Saviour of our souls ; who, 
with the Father and the Holy Ghost, livest and 
reignest, one God, world without end. Amen. 



212 VARIOUS PRAYERS. 



Against Heresy. 

Dissolve, O Christ, the schisms of heresy, which 
seek to subvert the faith, which strive to corrupt the 
truth ; that as thou art acknowledged in heaven and 
in earth as one and the same Lord, so thy people, 
gathered from all nations, may serve thee in the 
unity of faith ; to thy glory and honor, who, with the 
Father and the Holy Ghost, art one God, world with- 
out end. Amen. 

Against Coldness in Prayer. 

O God, pardon, we beseech thee, the wanderings 
and coldness of our prayers, and deal not with us 
according to our prayers or deserts, but according to 
our needs and thine own rich mercies in Christ Jesus 
our Lord. Amen. 



Against Wandering Thoughts. 

Heavenly Father, give us grace to fix our minds on 
thee, especially in times of prayer when we talk with 
thee. Stop the fancies of our wandering minds and the 
desires of our evil hearts. Destroy the power of the 
enemy of our souls, who tries at such times to draw 
our minds from heavenly thoughts. So shall we, 
with joy and gratitude, thank thee for all the evils 
we have escaped, and for all the good we have 
received : through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



Against Sloth. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, who hast said, My Father 
worketh hitherto, and I work ; Grant us, we beseech 
thee, such zeal in thy service, that we may never be 
weary in well doing, but may labor stedfastly unto 
the end; through thy mercy, O our God, who art 
blessed, and livest and reignest forever and ever. 
Amen. 

Against Self-deception. 

O God, who hast warned us that the heart is 
deceitful above all things ; Give us wisdom to know 
our shortcomings, errors and secret faults, and 
mercifully cleansing us therefrom, keep us from the 
temptations of spiritual pride ; through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

Against Sins of the Tongue. 

We beseech thee, O Saviour, by those sacred 
words which in thy last agony thou didst utter upon 
the cross, that thou wouldest keep our tongues from 
evil, and our lips that they speak no guile, that 
as thy holy Angels ever sing thy praises in heaven, 
so with our tongues may we at all times glorify thee 
on earth ; who livest and reignest with the Father 
and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. 
Amen. 



VARIOUS PRAYERS. 213 

Against Formalism . 

O Lord Jesus Christ, whose ways are right, keep 
us in thy mercy from lip-service and empty forms , 
from having a name that we live, but being dead. 
Help us to worship thee by righteous deeds and lives 
of holiness ; that our prayer also may be set forth in 
thy sight as the incense, and the lifting up of our 
hands be as an evening sacrifice ; through thy 
mercy, O our God, who art blessed, and livest and 
reignest for ever and ever. Amen. 

Against Insincerity . 

O Lord Jesus Christ, who didst rebuke the barren 
fig-tree, bearing leaves but not fruit ; Vouchsafe 
unto us perfect sincerity in thought and deed, and 
grant that we may carry out in our lives what we 
have learned in thy holy Word ; through thy mercy, 
O our God, who art blessed, and livest and reignest' 
forever and ever. Amen. 



Against Presumption. 

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who didst 
suffer thine Apostle Saint Peter, presuming on his 
own power, miserably to fall, even so as to deny his 
Master ; Grant to us, we beseech thee, that we may 
never presume on our own might and power, but 
being in our hearts humble and lowly, acknowledg- 
ing our own infirmity, frailty and weakness, may 
ever, in all our doings, receive at thy mighty hand 
the strength and comfort which we need, to the due 
performance of thy holy will ; through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 



Against Uncharitable Judgments. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, to whom all things are possi- 
ble ; Inspire us, we entreat thee, with ardent faith in 
thy love and power when we supplicate thee for our- 
selves or for others. Keep us from judging un- 
charitably those for whom we pray, or from pre- 
sumptuously estimating them as less acceptable than 
ourselves to thee; keep us from giving thanks with 
the Pharisee, but rend our hearts with the humble 
cry of the Publican. Hear us, O Lord, when we 
pray for all who need our prayers; and thy Name, 
with that of the Father and the Holy Ghost, shall 
have all the praise, world without end. Amen. 

For Veneration of the Name of Jesus 
Christ. 

Almighty God, who hast made the glorious Name 
of Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord most dear to thy 
faithful people, and most terrible to evil spirits ; 
Grant that all who devoutly venerate this Name on 
earth may in this life receive holy consolation and 
comfort, and in the world to come, the joy of ex- 
altation, and of eternal blessedness in heaven ; 
through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



214 VARIOUS PRAYERS. 



For Truthfulness. 

O God, the God of Truth, mercifully grant that the 
Holy Spirit of truth may rule our hearts, grafting 
therein the love of truth, and making us in all our 
thoughts, words and works to study, speak and fol- 
low truth, that we may be sincere before men and 
blameless before thee ; for his sake who is the 
Truth, and in whose most blessed mouth was no de- 
ceit, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



For Enlightenment. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, who art the light of the 
blind, the way of the erring, and the resurrection of 
the dead ; Enlighten the darkness of our hearts and 
minds, bring sinners to repentance, and make us to 
live in thee and for thee, whom, with the Father and 
the Holy Ghost, we worship and glorify ever, one 
God, world without end. Amen. 



For Clea?ising. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, to whom glory in the highest 
is ever sung in heaven and on earth ; Grant unto us 
and to all thy people thy good will, cleanse us from 
all our sins, and give us thy peace forever ; through 
thy mercy, O our God, who art blessed, and dost 
live, and govern all things, world without end. 
Amen. 



For Comfort. 

O Almighty God, who art the author of everlasting 
felicity ; Sustain and comfort us, we pray thee, in all 
the trials of this present life, and grant unto us at 
last, in thy presence, fulness of joy, and pleasures for 
evermore; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



For a Sense of Sin , 



O God, who art of purer eyes than to behold 
iniquity ; Mercifully grant unto us such a sense 
of sin, that we may receive cleansing, and such 
cleansing, that we may be 'made pure in heart, and 
may see thee for evermore ; through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 



For the Spirit of Prayer. 

O God of hope, the true Light of faithful souls, 
and perfect brightness of the blessed, who art verily 
the Light of the Church ; Grant that our hearts may 
both render thee a worthy prayer, and always 
glorify thee with the offering of praises ; through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



VARIOUS PRAYERS. 215 



For Rest. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, the rest of the Angels and of 
all the Saints ; Grant unto thy people to find in thee 
deliverance from all sin, and rest from every burden, 
so that, joining with Angels and Archangels in bless- 
ing thee, they may in all and through all things 
be blessed by thee ; through thy mercy, O our God, 
who art blessed, and dost live, and govern all things, 
world without end. Amen. 



For Peace. 

O Christ our Lord, at whose coming peace re- 
turned to earth ; Vouchsafe, we beseech thee, to 
keep ever in thy peace those whom thou didst 
reconcile unto thee by thy first coming, until, at thy 
coming again in glorious majesty, thou makest them 
to inherit eternal peace; through thy mercy, O our 
God, who art blessed, and dost live, and govern 
all things, world without end. Amen. 



For Sanctified Learning. 

O God, the Father Almighty ; Grant us to have in 
thee the light of knowledge, and the fulness of all 
virtue, that, while we seek for the gifts of learning, 
we may never depart from thee, who art the 
Fountain of all wisdom ; through Jesus Christ, thy 
Son, our Lord. Amen. 



For Eternal Felicity. 

O Lord, save us, we pray thee, who hope in thee, 
comfort us, according to thy Word, whom thou hast 
redeemed with thy most precious Blood, and grant 
us, with thee, perpetual joy and felicity, where 
sighing is at an end, and sorrow cannot come ; 
through thy mercy, O our God, who art blessed, and 
dost live, and govern all things, world without end. 
Amen. 



For Love of Friends and Enemies. 

O God, who so lovedst the world that thou didst 
give thine only-begotten Son to reconcile the earthly 
with the heavenly ; Grant that, loving thee above 
all things, we may love in thee our friends and our 
enemies ; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

For a Child-like Spirit. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, who, very God of very God, 
didst deign for us to become a little child, that the 
world which thou didst make might through thee be 
saved ; Grant that, as unto us a Child is born, unto 
us a Son is given, we, born again through thee, may 
ever remain in the number of God's faithful children ; 
through thy merits, O blessed Saviour, who, with 
the Father and the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest 
ever, one God, world without end. Amen. 



216 VARIOUS PRAYERS. 



For Confidence in the Judgment Day. 

O God, who, by the mouth of thy holy prophets, 
didst promise that thine only-begotten Son should 
come in the flesh for us, and be born of a pure 
virgin, and hast in these last days fulfilled thy 
Word ; Grant, we beseech thee, that when he who 
came once to redeem the world cometh to be our 
Judge, we may not be ashamed before him at his 
coming ; through the merits of the same thy Son 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



For Humility. 

O merciful God, who didst justify the publican, 
who, standing afar off, and beating his breast, con- 
fessed his sin unto thee ; Grant unto us thy servants, 
meekly acknowledging our unworthiness, and sup- 
plicating thy favor, the forgiveness of all our sins ; 
through thy mercy, and for the love of Jesus Christ, 
thy Son, our Saviour. Amen. 



For Wisdom. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, who art the Redeemer of all 
those who put their trust in thee ; Loose thy people, 
we pray thee, from the bonds of their sins, fill their 
hearts and minds with true wisdom, and let thy 
peace and heavenly benediction, ever be with them ; 
through thy mercy, O our God, who art blessed, and 
dost live and govern all things, world without end. 
Amen. 

For Obedience. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, make us to live soberly, 
righteously and godly, in this present world, looking 
for the blessed hope and thy glorious appearing, so 
that, running in the way of thy commandments, we 
may attain thy heavenly promises ; through thy 
mercy, O our God, who art blessed, and dost live, 
and govern all things, world without end. Amen. 



For Faithfulness. 

O Christ, the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning 
and the Ending, the Root and the Offspring of 
David ; Mercifully grant unto us, our King and our 
Saviour, that we may serve thee faithfully here, and 
continue thine forever ; through thy merits, O our 
God, who art blessed, and dost live, and govern all 
things, world without end. Amen. 

For a Tender Conscience. 

O God, save us from a blinded conscience, still 
more, from a hardened one. Make us to bring all 
our guilt at once to the fountain opened for unclean- 
ness, the Blood of Christ. Endue our conscience 
with such holy tenderness, that the faintest approach 



VARIOUS PRAYERS. 217 

of evil may awaken its testimony, and give us grace 
to obey its faintest remonstrance ; for Christ our 
Saviour's sake. Amen. 



For Self-examination . 

O Almighty God, who dost love to dwell with the 
pure in heart, and hatest the least stain of sin ; Help 
us to examine our souls. Give us thy Holy Spirit. 
Shew us our faults, O Lord, and help us to feel our 
sinfulness. Give us true sorrow for sin, and grace 
to overcome it, firm trust in thy mercy, and charity 
with all men, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

For Cheerfulness. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord that hath mercy on 
us ; Teach our hearts to sing for joy when our lips 
sing praises unto thee for all thy mercies. Banish, 
we pray thee, from our souls, gloom, discontent and 
abject fear : and make thy love of us and our love of 
thee be in us joy, confidence and full satisfaction ; 
hear us, O Saviour, who, with the Father and the 
Holy Ghost, livest and reignest, one God, world with- 
out end. Amen. 



For the Spirit of Praise. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, worthy to be praised ; Give 
us grace, we beseech thee, to attribute no good thing 
to ourselves ; not desiring the praise of men, or 
puffing up our neighbor with vain flatteries, but 
ascribing all praise unto thee on whom praise 
waiteth : for thou alone, O Lord Jesus, with the 
Father and the Holy Spirit, art worthy of the bless- 
ing and thanksgiving, worship and magnifying, 
adoration and love, of Cherubim and Seraphim, 
Angels and Archangels, men and all creatures, world 
without end. Amen. 



For Diligence. 

O Almighty God, whose will it is that none should 
be idle ; Give us, we pray thee, a diligent spirit, that 
whatever we find to do we may do with all our 
might, to thy honor and glory ; for the sake of Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 



For Gentleness . 

O Christ, Son of God, who didst patiently endure 
the reproaches of thine adversaries when, like roar- 
ing lions, they gnashed upon thee with their teeth ; 
Grant, we beseech thee, that we, following thine 
example, and the pattern of thy longsuffering, may 
become gentle to all ; through thy mercy, O our 
God, who art blessed, and livest and reignest for 
ever and ever. Amen. 



218 VARIOUS PRAYERS. 



For Patience. 

O God, who by the passion and death of thine 
only-begotten Son didst crush the pride of our enemy 
the devil ; Grant to thy faithful servants, when they 
are in trouble, to bear in mind his sufferings, and 
cheerfully to endure all adversities ; through the 
same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

For Contentment. 

O God, who hast taught us that our life is more 
than meat and pur body than raiment ; Teach us 
also to be content with such things as thou hast 
given us, and to seek in thee that godliness which, 
with contentment, is great gain ; for the sake of Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 



For Thankfulness. 

O merciful God, who hast taught us by thy holy 
Word that it is a joyful and pleasant thing to be 
thankful ; Give us grace, we beseech thee, to be 
truly and sincerely thankful for thy manifold 
mercies bestowed upon us, and grant that we may 
employ all thy gifts and mercies to the setting forth 
of thy glory, and the furthering of our own sal- 
vation ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



For a good use of Blessings. 

Almighty and everlasting God, who healest us by 
chastening, and preservest us by pardoning ; Grant 
unto thy suppliants, that we may both rejoice in the 
comfort of the tranquillity which we desired, and 
also use the gift of thy peace for the effectual amend- 
ment of our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

For Love of God. 

Most merciful God, we are conscious of grievous 
shortcoming in our love. Make us sensible of thy 
great love to us. In the gift of thy dear Son, in the 
communications of thy free grace, help us ever to 
trace thy goodness toward us. Enable us to show 
forth our love not only with our lips but in our lives ; 
the love of a holy admiration, the love of a happy 
allegiance, the love of a respectful homage, the love 
of an entire devotion, the love of an instinctive 
desire and longing for thy presence, the love of an 
outspoken testimony to thy praise ; these things we 
humbly ask for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen. 



For Stability. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, our Rock, give us wisdom, 
we beseech thee, to build our house upon the Rock 
and not upon the sand : that when floods of temp- 
tation, rain of affliction, winds of persecution, beat 



VARIOUS PRAYERS. 219 

upon that house it may not fall, because it is 
founded upon a Rock ; grant this through thy 
mercy, O our God, who art blessed, and livest and 
reignest for ever and ever. Amen. 



For Holiness. 

O Father of mercies, who hast foreordained thine 
elect to be conformed to the image of thy Son ; So 
conform us, we beseech thee, unto him in holiness, 
that when he shall appear, we may be made like 
unto him in glory ; through the same Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 



For a Happy Death. 

O Immortal Jesus, who when thou wast pleased to 
die, didst bow thine head and commend thy spirit 
into the hands of thy Father ; Grant that when the 
hour of our departure shall come, we may be willing 
to leave this mortal life, and thou being present 
to our sight, and shining upon us with the light 
of thy countenance, we may joyfully commit our 
souls to thee, who art the Resurrection and the 
Life ; who liveth and reigneth with the Father and 
the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. 
Amen. 



INDEX. 



Accused, For persons unjustlv, 211. 

Adults, Funeral of, 84. 

Afflicted, For the, 86. 

Aged, For a Home for the, 159. 

Alms Basin, Benediction of an, 100. 

Altar, Benediction of an, 97. 

Altar Cloth, Benediction of an, 103. 

Altar Guild, For an, 132. 

Altar Linen, Benediction of, 103. 

Army and Navy, For the, 155. 

Auxiliary, For "the Woman's, 110. 

Banner, Benediction of a, 103. 

Baptism, Of Infants in Church, 1; in private, 8; of 

Adults, 14; Infant and Adult combined, 23. 
Bell, Benediction of a, 101. 
Blessings, For a good use of, 218. 
Bible Class, For a, 130. 
Blind, For the. 159. 

Candles, Benediction of, 102. 

Catholic Faith, For those who have forsaken the, 210. 

Censorious, For the, 211. 

Cheerfulness, For, 217. 

Child-birth, After. 167. 

Child, At birth of, 149 ; before baptism of, 150 ; funeral 

of a, 89. 
Children, For Sunday School, 126; for neglected, 127; 

at School, 150; of a family, 150; sponsors for, 151. 
Choir, With a, 122. 
Choristers, Office with, 94. 
Christians, For persecuted, 107. 
Church, For restoration of a, 119; for an unfinished, 

119 ; for Councils of the, 113 ; for unity of the, 116 ; 

for the Syrian, 108 ; throughout the world, 113. 
Christ, Fof fellowship with, 70. 
Cleansing, For, 214. 
Collects, 170, 206. 
Colleges and Schools, For, 156. 
Comfort, For, 214. 

Communicate, For one about to, 72. 
Confirmation, Order of, 30; class, 130. 
Conscience, For a tender, 216. 
Contentment, For, 218. 
Corner-stone Office, 95. 
Cross, Benediction of a, 100. 

Daughters of the King, For the, 110. 

Deaconesses, For, 111. 

Dead, Burial of the, 75. 

Deaf and Dumb, For the, 159. 

Death, For a happy, 219. 

Despondent, For the, 71. 

Departed, For the, 91. 

Diligence, For, 217. 

Diocese, For the, 114; for the Bishop of the, 115. 

Discord, In times of, 155. 

Divinitv, For Students in, 157. 

Dying, "For the, 74. 

221 



222 INDEX. 



Employer and the Employed, For the, 160. 
Enemies, For love of friends and, 215. 
Enlightenment, For, 214. 
Eucharistic Prayers, 134. 
Explorations, For, 161. 

Family, Marriage in a, 151 ; at death in, 152 ; for ab- 
sent members of, 151; prayers in the, 135; prayers 
for each day in the week in the, 141 ; special prayers 
of the, 148. 

Faithfulness, For, 216. 

Felicity, For eternal, 215. 

Fellow-countrymen, For, 107. 

Flag, At raising of a, 154. 

Font, Benediction of a, 98. 

Formalism, Against, 213. 

Founders and Benefactors, For, 156. 

Funeral Pall, Benediction of a, 103. 

Gentleness, For, 217. 

Gloria Christi, 73. 

God, For love of, 218. 

Guild Medals, Benediction of, 102. 

Health, For recovery of, 70. 

Heresy, Against, 212. 

Home, For a new, 149 ; for an Orphan's, 158. 

Holiness, For, 219. 

Holy Communion Vessels, Benediction of, 97. 

Holy Spirit. For the, 69. 

Hospital, For an, 158. 

Humility, For, 216. 

Husband and Wife, For an, 149. 

Illness, In a prolonged, 71. 

Insincerity, Against, 213. 

Jesus Christ, For Veneration of Name of, 213. 

Judgment Day. For confidence in the, 216. 

Judgments, Against uncharitable, 213. 

Learning, For sanctified, 215. 
Lenten Prayers, 208. 
Love, For mutual, 148. 

Marriage, Anniversary of a, 151. 

Marriage Ring, Benediction of a, 102. 

Matrimony, Solemnization of, 33. 

Meeting, For a Vestr3', 121. 

Ministrations, For angelic, 70. 

Ministry, For the increase of the, 109, 127. 

Missions, Special prayers for, 106; for the Jews, 107 
forfallen women, 108; for seamen, 108; for city, 109 
for workers in city, 109; for colored people, 107 
parochial, 122 ; for giving to, 111. 

Missionary, For sending out a, 108 ; service, 104. 

Mortality, For deliverance from sickness and, 167. 

New Year's Day, Prayers for, 168. 

Obedience, For, 216. 

Organ, Benediction of an, 100. 

Pain, For one in, 71. 
Palms, Benediction of, 101. 

Parish, For the, 118; for endowment of a, 119; in 
debt, 119 ; for anniversary of a, 120; for Guilds of, 131. 
Passions, Against angy, 2il. 
Patience, For, 218. 
Peace, For, 155, 166, 215. 
Penitents, For confession of, 132. 
Peril, For escape from, 167. 
Persons, For neglected, 210. 
Praise, For the spirit of, 217. 

Prayer, Against coldness in, 212 ; for the spirit of, 214. 
Presumption, Against, 213. 
Pulpit, Benediction of a, 99. 
Purity, For, 162. 

Recovery, When there is no hope of, 72. 
Rector, For a, 120 ; for a sick. 120; for a parish with- 
out a, 121. 






INDEX. 223 



Rectory. Benediction of a, 97. 

Resignation, For, 3 52. 

Rest, For. 215. 

Retreat, For a clerical, 115. 

Reverence for God's Name, 163; for the Lord's Day, 

163. 
Rood Screen, Benediction of a, 99. 
Rulers and People, For, 153. 

Saint Andrew, For Brotherhood of, 128. 

Sanctuary Lamp, Benediction of a, 98. 

Self-deception, Against, 212. 

Self-examination, For, 217. 

Service Books, Benediction of, 102. 

School, For a, 157; for past members of, 157; for a 

reformatory, 158. 
Sisterhoods, For. 111. 
Sick, Visitation of the, 37; communion of the, 47; 

readings with, 57 ; special prayers for the, 69. 
Sickness, For a minister's recovery from, 167. 
Sin, For those we have led into, 210; for those who 

live in, 210; for a sense of, 214. 
Sloth, Against, 212. 
Sorrowing, For the, 90. 
Spirit, For a child-like, 215. 
Stability, For, 218. 
State, For the, 153; for the Governor of, 153; for 

legislature of a, 153. 
Students, For medical, 157. 
Submission, For, 69. 
Sunday School, For the, 124; for superintendent of, 

124;" for teachers of the, 125; for children of the, 126; 

for work of the, 127. 
Surgical Operation, Before a, 71. 

Temperance, For, 164. 

Thankfulness, For, 218. 

Thanksgiving, Harvest, 165; for recovery from sick- 
ness, 165; for a child's recovery from sickness, 166; 
for a safe return from Sea. 166 ; a general, 168. 

Thoughts, Against wandering, 212. 

Thoughtless, For the, 211. 

Tongue, Against sins of the, 212. 

Truthfulness, For, 214. 

Vestments, Benediction of, 102. 

Will, For one making a, 72. 
Wisdom, For, 216. 
Worldly, For the, 211. 

Year, For the last day of the, 169. 
Young Men, For, 128. 



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